FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 

REV.   LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,  D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY  HIM   TO 

THE   LIBRARY  OF 

PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


*****   <SC\s 

8-fo.     Mil 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2012  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://archive.org/details/revbensonOOtref 


Drawn  Ty  J  Jackson  .RA . 


EnjtavciTr7  EUadira^f 


NOV  19  1931 


M  E  M  0  I  R  S  x^BKtt  stvv^ 


REV.   JOSEPH    B BNSON 


Bi    RICHARD    i"  I :  I-:  I  PRY. 


Th«-\  that  \x*  »l««  %hitll  ahlna  a*  Ui«  '  'lir>  flrmanum  .  an-1  thry 

that  turn  many  t«>  rlghteoiianwa,  a»  i  1'imel. 


Vtw- B o  r h : 

PUBLISHED    BT    CARLTON   ft   PHILLIPS. 

200  m  r  l  r.  r.  n  r  y  -  s  t  it  1 1 T. 


1 

I 

: 


PREFACE. 


Soon    after  Mr.  him 

were  published  by  the  Rer.  J  dooald;  with 

whom,  during  - d  lived  in 

the  closes!  babiu  of  intimacy.  But,  whether  from  the 

siie  of  the  rolume,  m  the  |  I  which  it  was  sold,  or 

from  any  oil,  thai  though  it  has 
been 

remains  unsold  ;   and,  consequently,  by  : 

number  of  the  present  race  <»f  Methodists  are  utterly 

unacquainted  with  the  character,  virtues,  and  - 

of  thai  extraordinary  man,  who  was,  in  fa 

the  brightest  ornamenti  odism;  ami  t<>  whom 

it  is  more  deeply  indebted  than  to  aim  it 

man  who  has  ever  graced  it*  triumphs  since  iu 

founder  finished  bii 

It  was  therefore  thought  tint  a  moderate-sized  duode- 

eimo  volume,  descriptiTe   of  .Mr.    B 

and  illustrative  of  the  labours  of  his  life,  would  he 

orally  acceptable,  and  greatly  tend  to  promote  the  spi 


4  PREFACE. 

ritual  profit  of  many.  The  author  was  requested  to 
prepare  such  a  memoir  with  as  little  delay  as  possible. 
Such  a  volume  is  now  presented  to  the  public :  and 
if  the  reader  be  benefited  by  perusing  its  contents,  the 
end  of  its  publication  will  be  answered,  and  the  glory 
be  ascribed  to  God. 

London,  October  21st,  1840. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Introductory  remarks— Mr.  Benson's  ancestry — Hit  birth — Educa- 
tion— Conversion  to  God — He  obtains  tbe  witness  of  the  Spirit — Quits 
his  father's  house —  Is  disappointed  ting  with  Mr.  Wesley  at 
-»llc — Arrives  in  Ixjndon — Accompanies  Mr  Wesley  to  Kings- 
wood — Is  appointed  classical  n>a»>ter  of  the  school  there — Engages  in 
the  praver-mectings — Corresponds  with  Mr  Weslei — Kreps  his  terms 
at  L'dmund  Hall,  Oxford — Dedication  of  himself  to  God — His  acquaint- 
MMi  ivitfa  thi  Key.  John  Fletcher P*g*  9 


CHAPTEB  II. 

The  college  at  Trerecca  in  Wales — Terms  on  which  the  studenta 
were  admitted — Mr.  Fletcher  ap;>ointed  to  superintend  the  establish- 
ment— Mr  Benson  chosen  head-master — I  --ollegc 
— His  rcmov.il  to  Oxford — Is  refused  ordination—  vford — 
Visits  his  friends  at  Bristol — Preaches  in  ditfer«nt  parts  of  Wlttsk 


CHAPTEB  III. 

Mr  Benson  is  appointed  to  the  London  circuit — Mr  Fletcher's  let- 
ter to  bin — His  admission  into  full  connection — Is  appointed  to  the 
-tie  circuit — Is  removed  to  Edinburgh — Extracts  from  his  jour- 
nal— Letter  to  him  from  I.adv  Maxwell — Letter  from  Mr  Wesley — Is 
reappointed  to  Newcastle — Labours  to  suppress  smuggling — Mr. 
Wetley*!  ednn  to  him  on  the  subject — Is  stationed  at  Bradford — Ex- 
tracts from  his  journal — Remarks  on  Thomas  Walsh — Observations  on 
watch-nights 40 


0  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Mr.  Wesley's  visit  to  New-Mills — Remarks  on  the  danger  of  much 
company — Mr.  Benson's  tour  to  the  north — Preaches  at  different 
places — Visits  his  mother  and  sister — Reads  Dr.  Watts's  Treatise  on 
the  Glory  of  Christ — Is  accused  of  Arianism  by  Dr.  Coke — Is  exam- 
ined at  the  conference — Is  fully  justified  from  this  charge — Renounces 
the  notion  that  he  had  entertained  of  the  pre-existence  of  the  human 
soul  of  Christ — Mr.  Wesley's  letter  to  him  on  this  subject — His  mar- 
riage— A  letter  from  him  to  Mr.  Pavvson — Has  serious  thoughts  of 
retiring  from  the  itinerant  work — Remarks  on  late  worshippers — Ob- 
servations on  different  books Page  ?3 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Deed  of  Declaration  made — Several  of  the  preachers  offended 
— Extracts  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal — Mr.  Wesley  invites  him  to  the 
London  conference — Is  excused  from  attending— Death  of  Mr.  Fletcher 
— Erection  of  George-yard  chapel,  in  Hull — Mr.  Benson  publishes  a 
Scriptural  Essay  on  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul — Mr.  Edmondson's 
account  of  Mr.  Benson's  popularity — Extracts  from  his  journal — He 
attends  the  conference  in  Leeds ;  preaches  there — Is  disappointed  at  not 
going  to  the  circuit  to  which  he  had  been  invited — He  attends  the  con- 
ference in  Bristol,  the  last  at  which  Mr.  Wesley  presided — Account  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  death — The  Birmingham  riots 94 

CHAPTER  VI. 

The  first  conference  after  Mr.  Wesley's  death — Different  opinions 
concerning  the  future  existence  of  Methodism — Mr.  Benson  is  appointed 
to  Manchester — Observations  on  a  publication  of  his,  entitled  "  Socini- 
anism  Unscriptural"' — He  meditates  the  design  of  writing  a  commen- 
tary on  the  New  Testament — Is  delivered  from  danger — Goes  to 
Manchester — Disputes  concerning  the  Lord's  supper — Conference  in 
London — Address  to  the  societies — Mr.  Benson  is  greatly  afflicted — 
Democratical  principles  prevalent  in  Manchester — Dr.  Tatham's  sermon 
— Mr.  Russel's  pamphlet — Mr.  Benson's  answers  to  these  publications 
— The  Leeds  conference — Address  to  the  societies — Mrs.  Benson  in 
great  danger — Mr.  Benson's  prevalent  intercession  on  her  behalf — Re- 
marks on  the  abuse  of  power 117 


CONTENTS.  ' 

CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Bristol  conference — Mr  Moore  prohibited  from  preaching  m  The 
Room — Division  in  the  society — Mr   Benson  takes  part  with  the  trus- 
i"nlt — Mr  Benson's  journey  into  Cornwall — 
Preaches  there  to  imnu                               -.  and  with  lingular  sin 
The  Manchester  conn  irence—  :                     nfication  formed — The  V  a - 
castle   letter — Mr     H<    -                 i ■•  r  to  it — Mr.  Kilham's  trial  and  ex- 
pulsion at  th>                             nee — Formation  of  thf  ection 
from  Mr    Beneon*!  journal — Edwai                       .aracter  and 
mfeienee  held  in   Bristol — Mr   Benson  chosen  president — 
er  to   Mr.    Dewi                               at  Manchester — Mr.  Benson 
M  attending  it l^gc  1&0 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Report  from  the  clergy  in   the  dux-ess  of  Lincoln — Mr    Benson  an- 
swers their  pamphlet—  0 

risil  to  Mr    M  m  and  death — Mr. 

s  appointment  to  R)  circuit — An  arcoiin' 

Irinson — A  petition  from  the  London  quarterly  mo 
,  behalf  of  Mr  H<  m  o'a continuance  a  fourth 
don — His  appointment  to  thi  e— Hb 

11  at  tho 

•peon  •  chapel,  m  Sheffield - 

marks  <>u  Popery — Mr   Pi 

a  Commentary  on  the  Bible- 

dent  a  second  time —  Death  Prtagerald — Mr.  Macdonald'a 

ap|H)intment  as  an  assistant  editor — Mr    P                                       iddress 
from  the  committee  of  privileges  to  the  Ifetho  lLH 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Mr.   Benson's  continued  labours — He  opens  new  chapels  at  Tun- 
bridge- Wells  and  Oravesend — The  benerolenee  of  some  unknown  friend 

to  him — He  finishes  ins  ( 'ommentary  on  the  Old  Testament — Obtains 
a  remarkable  answer  to  prayer  on  b.-half  of  his  daughter — Dr    ( 
preaches     in    City-road    chapel   before    the    duke    of   Kent,    the    lord 
mayor,  &c — Mr    Benson  visits  Cambridge — Two  Prussian  ministers 
are   introduced   into  the  conference— Mr    Benson  opens  Queen-street 


8  CONTENTS. 

chapel — Finishes  his  Commentary — His  remarks  on  education — He 
attends  the  conference  for  the  last  time — Is  unable  through  increasing 
infirmities  to  preach  regularly — Concludes  his  public  ministry  at  Wal- 
worth— His  health  rapidly  declines — Conversations  with  several  friends 
during  his  affliction — His  death — Funeral — Inscription  on  his  coffin 

Page  235 


CHAPTER  X. 

THE   CHARACTER  OP  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Observations  on  biography — Of  Mr.  Benson's  intellectual  powers — 
His  learning — Warm  and  ardent  in  his  temper — Grave  and  serious  in 
his  deportment — A  great  economist  of  time — Of  his  disinterestedness 
— His  compassion  toward  others — Love  to  his  children — Dr.  Bunting's 
description  of  him — Mr.  Kruse's  account  of  a  sermon  of  his  at  City- 
road  chapel — His  preaching  at  Saffron-hill  and  Clerkenwell-green — His 
pastoral  character — Love  for  Sunday  schools — Chosen  president  of  the 
Missionary  Society — Hartwell  Home's  opinion  of  his  Commentary — 
Remarks  on  his  style  of  preaching  by  the  "  London  Christian  Instruc- 
ted'— Tablets  to  his  memory 264 


M  EMOIRS 


REV.  JOSEPH   BENSON 


CHAPTER    I. 

Introductory  remark* — Mr.  Benson's  ancestry — His  birth — Educa- 
tion— Conversion  to  Cod — He  obtains  the  witness  of  the  Spirit — Quits 
his  father's  house — Is  disappointed  m  no-  .  Mr    W»  -dey  at 

Newcastle — Arrive*   m   Ixmdon — A  -  Mr    IVfjsJl  v  |o  Kings- 

wood — Is  appointed   classical  master  of  the  school   there — Engages  in 

the  prayer-meetings — Corresponds  with  Mr  W<  •  terms 

at  Edmund  Hall.  <  hcford  —Dedication  of  himsftif  tn  find — His  acquaint- 
ance with  the  Rev.  John  I'm  tchcr. 

Thf  instruction  which  God  has  horn  pleased  to  rom- 
iMIliritsI  to  DMO  in  the  Holy  Sciipiwes  for  the  formation 

of  their  moral  characters,  is  giytjn  in  the  way  both  of  pre- 
cept ami  of  example.  The  former  deseribes  the  duty  w  Inch 
they  are  imperatively  required  to  perform  :  and  the 
furnishes  the  enrourageOMOl  which  they  have  fof  Mssf  it. 
Were  the  oracles  of  God  composed  solelv  of  precepts.  SJfj 
might  lie  induced  to  think  that  they  exhihited  a  "  hM 
human  frailty  :  :"  but  when  we  contemplate  men 

of  like  passions  with  oursehes.  who  have  nnhodied  and 
exemplified  the  whole  of  Christianity  in  their  experience 
and  conduct,  we  not  only  see  the  practicability  of  the  di- 
vine precepts,  hut  we  are  encouraged  and  excited  to 
become  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience 
have  inherited  the  promises.  If  we  ahstract  from  revela- 
tion the  names  and  actions  of  those  illustrious  men  who 

!• 


10  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON, 

grace  the  pages  of  the  divinely-inspired  volume,  the  loss 
we  should  sustain  would  be  incalculable.  What  a  con- 
stellation of  rare  and  brilliant  lights  would  be  extinguished ! 
Actions  the  most  renowned,  deeds  the  most  disinterested, 
incidents  the  most  marvellous,  providences  the  most  sin- 
gular, and  enterprises  the  most  perilous,  would  be  con- 
signed to  oblivion,  and  all  that  laudable  and  holy  emulation 
which  the  study  of  such  records  is  calculated  to  inspire, 
would  cease  to  exist.  When  we  behold  faith  operating  in 
Abraham,  meekness  in  Moses,  patience  in  Job,  courage  in 
Daniel,  and  benevolence  in  Paul,  we  are  more  powerfully 
affected  by  the  exemplification  of  these  virtues,  as  exhibited 
in  living  characters,  than  we  could  possibly  be,  by  any  ab- 
stract disquisitions  on  their  nature  or  influence.  Examples 
cannot  fail  to  be  influential.  Minds  possess  the  mysterious 
power  of  assimilation  and  instability.  And  morals  are  not 
unfrequently  the  transcripts  of  what  we  see  in  others. 
Hence  it  behooves  the  living  to  remember  the  dead.  "  For 
us  they  sicken,  and  for  us  they  die."  And  though  dead, 
they  yet  speak  to  us  ;  and  thus  the  apostle  exhorts  the  He- 
brews, "  Remember  them  which  have  the  rule,"  or  have  had 
the  rule,  "  over  you,  who  have  spoken  unto  you  the  word  of 
God  ;  whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of  their  con- 
versation." "  This  remembrance  of  the  dead  saints,  with 
admiration  of  their  virtues,  and  a  desire  to  imitate  them, 
is,"  says  Dr.  Macknight,  "  the  only  worship  which  is  due 
to  them  from  the  living."  There  is  no  section  of  the 
Christian  church  in  modern  times  which  has  given  birth 
to  more  illustrious  examples  of  distinguished  excellence 
than  that  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodists.  Men,  favoured 
with  comparatively  few  advantages  derived  from  education, 
and  placed  amidst  many  discouragements,  have  become 
burning  and  shining  lights  in  their  generation.  Many  of 
these  luminaries  have  been  quenched  in  death  ;  the  recol- 
lection of  them  is  all  that  remains  ;  but  it  is  the  province 


)AiL  UV  JOSEPH  BE.NsU.N  U 

of  biography  to  transmit  to  posterity  the  record  of  their 
Minea,  and  their  virtii"s,  which  will  be  in  everlasting 
remembrance  before  God. 

Among  the  early  race  of  Methodist  ministers,  the  name 
of  Josefs  Bknsoh  holds  a  bed  place.     Of  his 

remot  now  known.     BaTilea  Benson,  hia 

grandfather,  \sas  born  about  tin-  year  1673,  and  d;< 
Melmerby   ia  Cumberland,   September  6th,    1732.     His 

\nn   survived   him  thilt]  ;id   died   when 

she  WSl  mark   one    hundred   yean  old.      '1  hey   had  three 

children,  two  boos  and  one  daughter;  one  of  the 
whose  Dame  ia  unknown,  died  in  bit  infancy.  Sarah,  the 
daughter,  was  married  to  a  person  of  the  name  of  Jonathan 
Watson,  the  father  o(  Joseph  Watson,  by  whose  inatru* 
natnttlitj  Joseph  Benson  <\  u  broughl  to  a  knowle 
the  truth.  John  Benson,  us  father,  married  [ss bells 
Robinson,   November  7th,   1731,     By  box  be  bad  three 

sons    and    four   daughters;     nunc    of    who::.  I    the 

parents,  except  Joseph  and  Ann;  the  latter  of  whom  lived 

to  an  adi  lined  age,  and  died  eitbj 

Durham;    and  In  r  lather,  in  the  declini 

Ins  paterna  I  Melmerby,  came  to  reside  with  her. 

Mr   was  i  man  who   |  OS*  BSed  the  form  of  IS,  but 

who  remained  destitute  mil:  power,  nntil  a  little 

before  hia  death,  when  be  found  merry  of  the  Lord,  and 
died    in    peso .    November   7th, 

rigidly  exact  to  her  attention  to  moral  and  doUM  - 
liven  when  a  child,    sin     loved   reading   and    prayer;    and 
when  placed  by  Pro 

family,  she  looked  well  to  the   ways  of  her  household. 

ll«r  attendance  on  public  worship  in  the  establiahmenl 

serioua  and  regular;  and  >h<  aned  ts  call 

her   iamiU    together  after    their  return   from   church,  that 

they  might  be  instructed  in  the  way  of  salvation,  03 

jng  the  Holy  Scriptures,     she  was  i  daughter  of  affliction, 


12  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

having  suffered  much  pain  of  body  for  thirty  years,  and 
many  severe  exercises  from  other  quarters ;  but  she  bore 
all  with  the  greatest  patience  and  resignation,  and  espe- 
cially her  last  sickness.  The  evidence  of  her  acceptance 
with  God  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was  clear  and 
satisfactory.  In  him  alone  she  trusted  for  salvation ;  and 
just  before  her  departure,  she  repeated  three  several  times, 
"  The  God  of  Israel  is  my  God,  both  now  and  for  ever." 

Mr.  Joseph  Benson  was  born  January  25th,  1748,  in 
the  parish  of  Kirk-Oswald,  in  Cumberland ;  and  baptized 
on  the  21st  of  February  in  the  same  year.  His  parents 
evinced  a  peculiar  degree  of  affection  for  him ;  and  his 
father,  either  from  the  seriousness  of  his  disposition,  or 
the  gravity  of  his  demeanour,  or  the  intensity  of  his  ap- 
plication to  learning,  intended  to  train  him  up  for  the 
Christian  ministry  in  the  established  Church.  For  the 
amusements  to  which  children  are  accustomed,  he  had  no 
relish  ;  and  he  was  rarely  prevailed  upon  to  associate  with 
them  in  their  sports  and  pastimes.  He  acquired  the  rudi- 
ments of  learning  in  the  village  school ;  and  he  was  sub- 
sequently placed  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Dean,  a  Presbyte- 
rian minister,  who  resided  in  the  same  parish.  Of  his 
tutor's  talents  as  a  teacher,  and  his  aptitude  for  the 
communication  of  instruction,  he  entertained  a  high  opin- 
ion ;  and  in  after-life,  when  his  judgment  was  more 
matured,  he  was  accustomed  to  speak  of  him  in  terms  of 
unqualified  commendation.  Here  he  acquired  some 
knowledge  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages  ;  but,  not 
satisfied  with  literary  attainments,  he  embraced  every  op- 
portunity that  presented  itself  of  reading  books  on  theolo- 
gical subjects.  The  only  books  of  a  religious  kind  of 
which  his  father  was  possessed,  besides  the  Bible,  were 
the  old  "  Whole  Duty  of  Man,"  and  an  odd  volume  of  in- 
ferior sermons ;  but  availing  himself  of  the  indulgence 
afforded  him  by  his  tutor,  who  gave  him  access  to  his 


LIFE  OF  JO=F.PH  HI" 


13 


library,  he  gladly  read  at  his  leisure  some  standard  works 
on  Christian  theology.  Bo  intent  was  he  on  acquiring 
knowledge,  that  he  scarcely  Buffered  a  moment  to  pass 
unimproved.  Often  in  the  severity  of  winter,  while  his 
mother  and  the  female  servants  w  -  re  employed  in  spinning, 
or  in  domestic  duties,  and  the  men-  set  rants  were  enjoying 
themselves  around  the  blazing  tire,  he  retired  to  the  remote 
pari  of  the  hall,  to  perfect  himself  in  ].  -.  and  pre- 

pare far  the  engagements  and  duties  of  the  ensuing  day. 
And  so  Utile  a  bs  he  die]  .  that, 

fearless  of  the  winter's  mid.  he  often  voluntarily 
nied  his  father's  men-servants,  when  they  w<  nt  with  long 
poles  in  search  of  sheep  buried  in  the  snon       Vnd  to  this 

endurance  of  cold  and  fatigue  in  early  life  may  he  attributed, 

under  God,  thai  rigour  of  constitution,  and  generally 
health,  whieh,  with  little  intermission,  he  until 

nearly  the  (love  of  I  long  and  laborious 

Hnt  ulule  he  gave  to  his  studies  I  laudable  degree  of 

attention,  lie   WUS   not  unmindful  of  the  welfare  ami  - 

tion  of  his  soul.     The  invisible  realities  of  eternity 
arrested  his  thoughts,  and  imbued  his  mind  with  ■  deep, 
death-like  seriousness.     By  the  inspiration  of  the  Almighty 
lie  w  ss  gradually  led  to  discover  the  evil  of  mil  the  i 

of  the  world,  and  the   in  I   holiness.       liven   when 

under  ten  \  cars  of  ige,  he  frequently  retired  into  his  < 
and  sometimes  into  the  fields,  where  on  his  bended  i 
he  importuned  Heaven  with  prayers,  and  sought  thai  grace 
which  would  enable  him  to  serve  the  Lord  acceptably,  with 

reverence  and  godly  fear.  Once,  especially,  his  mind  was 
unusually  affected  ;  and  with  many  tears  and  much  impor- 
tunity,   he    pleaded    the    words  of  Jacob,  MIf  God   will  he 

with  me,  and  will  keep  me  in  this  way  thai  I  no.  and  will 
give  me  bread  to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on, — then  shall  the 
Lord  be  my  God."  It  does  not  appear,  that  at  this  time 
he  had  any  acquaintance  with  the  Methodists  ;  or  that  he 


H  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

frequented  any  place  of  worship,  except  the  parish  church. 
That  he  might  not  be  a  forgetful  hearer  of  the  word,  he 
was  in  the  habit  of  writing  down  all  that  he  could  recollect 
of  the  sermons  which  he  heard  ;  hoping  thereby  no  less  to 
strengthen  his  memory  than  to  improve  his  mind.  When 
he  had  arrived  at  a  proper  age,  he  was  confirmed  by  the 
bishop,  in  conformity  with  the  rites  of  the  Establishment ; 
and  with  the  vows  of  God  upon  him,  he  deemed  himself 
bound  to  be  more  strict  and  conscientious  in  the  discharge 
of  his  religious  duties  than  he  had  previously  been.  But 
though  he  was  a  sincere  seeker  of  salvation,  yet  his  views 
of  its  nature,  and  the  mode  of  its  attainment,  were  very 
defective  aid  indistinct.  With  the  doctrine  of  justification 
by  faith  he  had  no  acquaintance.  But  where  there  is 
sincerity  of  mind,  and  a  purpose  of  heart  to  do  what  is 
right,  according  to  the  information  which  we  possess, 
superior  light  will  be  communicated,  and  clearer  discoveries 
of  tjie  will  of  God  be  made  known.  "  The  meek  will  he 
guide  in  judgment,  and  the  meek  will  he  teach  his  way," 
Psalm  xxv,  9.  "  If  any  man,"  saith  Christ,  "  will  do  his 
will,  he  shall  know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it  be  of  God, 
or  whether  I  speak  of  myself,"  John  vii,  17.  He  who 
commissioned  Philip  to  go  and  lead  the  inquiring  mind  of 
the  Ethiopian  eunuch  into  the  way  of  truth,  provided  an 
instructer  for  our  young  disciple.  When  he  was  about 
sixteen  years  of  age,  his  cousin  Joseph  Watson,  who  had 
been  providentially  led  to  hear  the  gospel,  by  attending  the 
ministry  of  the  early  Methodist  preachers,  was  powerfully 
wrought  upon  by  the  divine  Spirit ;  and  being  made  deeply 
sensible  of  the  desperate  wickedness  of  his  heart,  and  the 
sinfulness  of  his  life,  and  knowing  that  unless  he  obtained 
mercy  from  God,  he  must  suffer  the  punishment  due  to  his 
offences,  he  was  led  to  seek  for  redemption  through  the 
blood  of  Christ,  even  the  forgiveness  of  his  sins.  While 
he  was  in  this  state  of  penitence,  sorrowing  after  a  godly 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  M 

sort,  Joseph  Benson  happened  to  visit  him ;  but  how  was 
he  surprised,  when  his  cousin,  instead  of  accosting  him 
familiarly,  and  amusing  bin  with  vain  com  <  r-atmn.  as  he 

had  been  wont  to  do,  began  >eri<>u>ly  lo  talk  to  him  eojs* 
ceming  bis  sin   and  danger,  and  the  being 

converted  from  the  error  of  btf  nrnyn!  Ha  ikon  invited 
lnm  up  staiia,  and  said,  M  Now  Icneel  down!"  When  this 
was  dope,  be,  with  intei  I  gieal  aarnestnex, 

poured  out  Ins  heart  before  God  on  hi*  hchalf :   and 
iiiLr  in  pray<  r  for  -hum-  time,  be  aaid,  ••  Now,  Joi 
you  must  pray."     At  tail  remptofilj 

unexpectedl)    urged  upon  him,  i  gitated  1" 

description;  but  not  daring  to  dieobey,  be  began  with  a 
palpitating  heart,  and  ■  tremniotni 
at  the  throne  ol  prm  i       Hon  lonj  i  relational 

sincere  penitents,  continued  _•■  in  this  hallo 

(iinot  now  be  known  ,  hut  the  uopffeaaiona  i 
on  the  mind  of  the  »ubj<  deep 

and  Indelible  to  be  easily  ahn 

A  lew  nreeka  after  this,  in  company  with  Mi 
paid  Ins  cousin  another  visit,  n  bom  he  found  engaged  in 
reading  the  i  ighth  chapter  of  the 

and  alter  reading  aloud,  with  niueh  animation, 
therefore    now    no    condemnation    to    them    which    ai 

Christ  Jesus,"  he  mid,  '•  Joaepb,  d  1  this  I  I  lo  n«'U 

know  (here  i>  no  condemnation  in  enseal 

queationa,  with  several  othera  of  a  aimilar  nature  thai  were 
proposed  to  him.  excited  bia  attention,  and  led  to  serious 

sell-examination  \   and  on  returning  home   with  lus   - 
he  could  not  refrain  from  entering  into  MtlOO  with 

her,  on  the  wondrous  change  which  had  taken  place  on 
the  mind  of  his  cousin,  the  effects  of  which  wen-  depleted 
on  his  very  countenance.  From  that  time  .Mr.  Unison 
began  to  seek  the  Lord  with  all  his  heart ;  be  also  attended 
the  ministry  of  the  Methodists  ;  and  by  the  advice  of  his 


16  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

cousin  united  himself  to  the  society,  and  diligently  read 
such  of  Mr.  Wesley's  sermons,  and  other  works,  as  he 
could  procure.  His  own  words  will  best  describe  the 
state  of  his  mind  at  this  time.  "  I  was,"  says  he,  "more 
and  more  deeply  made  sensible  of  my  alienation  from  God, 
by  continuing  to  hear  the  Methodists,  with  whom  I  was 
united,  and  was  in  great  disquietude  and  distress  almost 
continually  for  about  ten  months  ;  till  the  Lord  gave  me  to 
believe  in  his  Son,  and  shed  abroad  his  love  in  my  heart. 
I  may  observe,  I  was  not  without  some  gracious  drawings 
from  God,  and  transient  tastes  of  his  goodness  at  times, 
during  that  distress ;  but  for  about  seven  or  eight  weeks 
before  it  was  given  me  to  believe,  I  was  powerfully 
tempted  to  despair  of  ever  obtaining  mercy.  Satan  thrust 
sore  at  me,  and  I  was  in  horrid  agony :  when  I  kneeled 
down  to  pray,  I  could  not  pray ;  it  seemed  as  though  the 
heavens  were  brass,  and  not  to  be  pierced.  My  tears,  I 
saw,  availed  nothing.  I  was  sorely  impatient,  and  ready 
to  give  up  all  for  lost.  But  glory  be  to  God,  he  turned  my 
heaviness  into  joy,  and  made  light  to  spring  up  in  my 
heart."  The  length  of  time  which  the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir continued  seeking  the  Lord  before  he  obtained  the 
witness  of  the  Spirit  to  his  adoption,  can  only  be  attributed 
to  the  weakness  of  his  faith,  or  to  some  erroneous  opinions 
which  he  entertained  concerning  a  sinner's  justification 
before  God.  Penitent  sinners  who  are  earnestly  seeking 
the  pardon  of  their  sins,  are  too  frequently  accustomed  to 
think  that  some  considerable  space  of  time  must  elapse, 
before  they  are  entitled  to  expect  the  blessing  which  they 
so  ardently  desire.  But  where  there  is  a  consciousness 
of  guilt,  attended  with  a  dread  of  future  punishment, — 
where  the  soul  is  brought  to  groan  under  the  burden  of  sin, 
— where  there  is  an  intense  fervency  of  spirit  awakened 
after  God,  combined  with  a  full  belief  in  the  infinite  efficacy 
of  the  blood  of  atonement, — there,  the  mind  is  fully  fitted 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  1? 

for  the  salvation  of  the  gospel.  Nor  can  any  delay  in  our 
expectations,  any  mortification  of  our  corruptions,  :my 
austerities  practised  upon  our  bodies,  make  us  mora  worthy 
Of  tin'  promise  of  that   Spirit,  which  they  that  before  <>a 

him  shall  receive.     Salvation  is  of  the  Lord  ;  hut  th< 

it  is  by  grace,  yet  it  is  through  faith  ;   and  faith  is  an  art 

of  recumbency  on  tin    part  of  man. — a  mating  <>n  tin-  di 

promise,  ami  a  full  confidence  that  what  God  hath  pn>i, 

sole  and  grilling  this  moment  tit  perform.     He  there- 
fore that  looks  at  tlic  promise,  dings  to  it,  claim- 

own,  and  depends  implicitly  on  Him  who  is  mighty  to 
save,  takes  hold  ot  his  strength,  and  receives  the  full  I" 
of  his  lm-ritonous  sneri:. 

'■  I'.i  "..  :i   ■     v  1.11th,  the  promise  »eei, 
looks  to  that  lis 

Langha  ut  impoi 

Aod  ei  ■■'■  be  ilonc." 

Mr.  BeShSOfl  pursued  h.  under  the  tuition  of  Mr. 

Dean,  until    he  armed  at  the    aLr«'  Of*   s.vente.n:    he  then 

ssumged  himself  ss  a  loarhnr  in  a  school  at  Geasbleeby,  in 
Cumberland,  where   be  continued  one   year  only.      His 

situation  at  this  turn-  was  far  from  being  roiufnttshkl  His 
fatlnr  disapproved  Of  the  Stop  that  lie  had  taken  in  joining 

the   Methodist  society:  in  Iks  country  where  he  lived, 
Methodism  was  little  known,  and  leas  respected.     !!■ 
also  to  encounter  considerable  opposition ;  and  I 

but   lew  opportunities  of  sitting  under  the    imuistry  of  the 

word.     Thus  circumstanced,  he  meditated  the  design  of 

leaving  his  native  place  and  neighbourhood,  and  of  I 
pying  some  situation  where  he  might  have  more  frequent 
Opportunities  ^(  attending  the  means  of  grace,  and  of  culti- 
vating a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with  that  body  of  ( 'hri>- 

tians  to  whom  he  had  voluntarily  united  himself.  With  a 
few  of  the  preachers  only  he  was  partially  acquainted  ; 
Mi    Wesley  he  had  never  seen  :  hearing,  however,  that 


18  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

he  was  at  Newcastle,  and  having  a  great  desire  to  see  a 
man  of  whom  he  had  heard  so  much,  he,  in  December, 
1765,  set  off  for  the  above  place.  His  father  accompanied 
him  some  miles  on  the  road ;  and  at  Alstone-Moor  they 
"parted  from  each  other,  with  floods  of  tears."  They 
could  scarcely  have  been  more  deeply  affected,  had  they 
foreseen,  as  the  sequel  proved,  that  they  were  never  to 
meet  more  in  this  world.  Before  the  son  again  visited  his 
native  place,  the  father  had  gone  the  way  of  all  flesh. 

What  the  subject  of  this  memoir  felt,  in  thus  tearing 
himself  away  from  all  the  tender  connections  of  life,  can 
be  conceived  only  by  those  who  have  been  placed  in  simi- 
lar circumstances.  No  motive,  less  influential  than  faith 
in  God's  guiding  providence,  combined  with  a  sense  of 
duty,  could  have  prompted  him,  like  the  ancient  patriarch, 
to  go  out,  scarcely  knowing  whither  he  went.  The  world 
was  all  before  him.  He  had  quitted  his  kindred,  and  his 
father's  house,  to  go  among  strangers,  not  knowing  what 
encouragement  he  would  meet  with,  or  where  his  lot  would 
be  cast.  On  his  arrival  at  Newcastle,  where  he  expected 
to  meet  Mr.  Wesley,  he  was  disappointed  and  grieved  to 
find  that  he  had  some  time  previously  left  that  place.  De- 
termined, however,  not  to  yield  to  discouragement,  he  pur- 
posed to  go  by  sea  to  London ;  but  as  the  vessel  in  which 
he  intended  to  embark  did  not  sail  as  soon  as  he  expected, 
he  set  off  on  foot,  in  the  depth  of  winter,  for  the  metropolis. 
He  proceeded  as  far  as  Ferrybridge,  where  he  met  with  a 
gentleman  who  kindly  commiserated  his  circumstances, 
and  generously  paid  his  coach-fare  to  town.  Here  he  re- 
mained for  several  weeks,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he 
went  to  Bristol  ;*  most  probably  in  company  with  Mr. 
Wesley,  who  arrived  there  on  Tuesday,  March  11th,  1766, 

*  There  are  no  documents  of  which  I  am  possessed  that  render  it 
certain  that  Mr.  Benson  actually  accompanied  Mr.  Wesley  to  Bristol  : 
but  as  I  learn  from  the  Journal  of  the  latter,  that  he  arrived  in  Bristol 


LfFK  OF  JOSEPH   HI. 


10 


when  he  appointed  Mr.  Benson  to  tin-  office  of  classical 

r  of  King  i  seel.      1 

Mr.  Wet  ntion  ami  solicitude:  it 

ow  composed  oi  t i i ♦  -  sons  of  the  itinerant  preachers; 
and  a  feu  oi  tin-  more  opulent  Diemben  of  the  Methodist 
soeiet  sol  tin  li  sees  lo  this  si  miliary  to  reei 

Christian  education,      lint  tie  »  hool  gave  Mr. 

•  v  much  aneai  The  antius  of  the  erils  that 

hnd    crept    in,    or   oi    the    sUsoedeiB    that    prevailed    in    the 

school,  ere  hare  so  irises,  si  this  distent  period, 

tsining.     Mr.  \V.  sk  M  Wednesday,   19th,  I   rode 

over  to  Khi'nw ! ;  slid  having  told  my  whole  mind  to 

the  masters  sad  servants,  spoke  to  the  children  in 
stronger  maimer  in  :  did  before.     I   will  kill  or 

cure;  |  will  have  one  or  the  ether,    a  Christian  school, 

or  none  at  all."       \n<l  it  urn,  that  during 

Mr.  Benson's  continuance  there,  the  most  risible  and  se- 
bsnwledged  itnprovomsnts  to.»k  place  is  the  school     This 
is  e\  idem  from  Mr.  \\  eelej  a  <»w  a  statement.     u  Tui 
March  8th,  1768,"  1  reached   Bristol,  \s 

did  not  ind  sny  decay  m  the  work  of  God,  though  it  did 

not  go  on  so  rigOrOUStjF  as  :it   KmgSWOOd.     Her.'  the 

ings  for  prayer  had  been  exceedingly  blessed  ;  son* 
convinced  or  converted  almost  daily;  sn<  sventy 

new  members  had  been  added  to  I  •-  in  shorn  throe 

months'  time.      'Tin     school,    like.  ft    ;i   flourishing 

condition.     Several  oi  the  children  contint  ;  and 

all  of  them  are  in  better  order  than  they  have  heen  for 
some  year-.'*  \nd  on  Friday.  October  7th,  m  the  same 
year.  Mr.  Wesley  visited  the  school  SgsJn  ;  on  which  occa- 
sion he  says,  '•  1  spent   an  hour,  much  to   my  satisfaction, 

witli  the  children  at  Kingswood.    Theft  is  reason  to  hope 

that  day,  and  the  following  day  went  to  Kingswood  ;  and  from  the 
statement  of  the  former,  that  he  was  appointed  to  his  office  at  that 
time,  I  infer  that  they  went  to  Hristol  together. 


20  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

that  the  grace  of  God  is  still  working  among  them.  Some 
are  still  alive  to  God ;  and  all  behave  in  such  a  manner, 
that  I  have  seen  no  other  school-boys  like  them."  And  it 
is  reasonable  to  infer,  that  this  improvement  in  the  school 
was  principally  to  be  attributed  to  Mr.  Benson's  judicious 
superintendence  of  it ;  for  while  he  was  solicitous  to  pro- 
mote its  literary  character,  he  was  no  less  concerned  to 
make  the  children  Christians  than  scholars.  Nor  was  his 
labour  in  vain  ;  for  he  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  several 
of  them  seriously  concerned  for  the  salvation  of  their  souls. 
And  in  this  visitation  he  acknowledged  the  divine  hand, 
and  said,  "  0  Lord,  the  work  is  thine ;  to  thee  be  all  the 
glory." 

The  state  of  Mr.  Benson's  mind,  at  this  time,  will  be 
best  understood  by  a  reference  to  his  own  words.  "  Nov. 
8th,  1767,"  he  says,  "  I  am  convinced  that  temporal  things 
are  comparatively  nothing ;  that  eternal  things  are  all ;  and 
that,  consequently,  my  chief  business  is  to  secure  the  sal- 
vation of  my  own  soul.  I  believe,  one  great  cause  of  my 
having  lived  so  little  to  God,  has  been,  that  my  excessive 
application  to  study  has  prevented  me  from  duly  attending 
to  private  devotion.  I  have  studied,  I  doubt  not,  with  an 
intent  to  glorify  God,  by  being  more  useful  to  others  ;  but 
my  own  soul  demands  my  greatest  attention :  and  in- 
deed I  see,  that  to  be  useful  to  others,  I  must  myself 
live  near  to  God.  I  betake  myself,  therefore,  to  thee,  O 
my  gracious  God  and  Saviour,  and  would  renew  my  cove- 
nant with  thee.  And  that  I  may  no  longer  be  unfruitful, 
I  rely  upon  thee  for  grace,  to  regulate  my  conduct  accord- 
ing to  the  resolutions  I  now  form.  But  these,  0  my  God, 
like  all  my  former  resolutions,  will  be  broken,  unless  thou 
renew  my  soul  in  righteousness,  and  enable  me  to  be 
watchful."  The  following  are  some  of  the  resolutions 
which  were  then  formed  as  rules  for  his  future  conduct : — 
"  To  rise  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  to  go  to  bed 


LIFE  OF  .JnSKPH   BENfl  -1 

at  nine  at  night.  Never  to  trill*"  away  time  in  vain  con- 
versation, useless  visits,  or  studying  sny  thing  which  would 
not  be  to  niv  advantage. — To  be  careful  to  maintain  private 
prayer,  and  not  to  be  content  without  eOHHHWlion  with  God 
in  it.  To  spend  from  four  to  five  o'clock  every  morning, 
and  from  five  to  m\  every  evening,  fan  devout  meditation 

and   prayer;   and  at    nine   in  the   morning  and  at  three    ED 

the  evening  to  devote  i  few  mieatcs  to  prayer.  Lei  me 
with  a  single  eye,  not  for  prsiee,  instruct  the  hoy-  dili 

in  useful  learning,  and  see  that  they  make 

■a  possible.     Let  me,  especially,  .r,  depend- 

ing upon  divine  intluence,  to  imp!  the  things 

of  God  upon  their  mind-.  :it  the  SSOM  tunc  that  they  are 
instructed  in  the  principles  of  religion 

Mr.  BanSQD  at  this  time  had  not  begun  to  preach,  nor  is 

there  any  reason  to  believe  that  he  ever  indulged  in  the 
expectation  of  being  called  to  the  honourable  and  reepon- 

sihle  onsce  of  the  ( 'hnstian  ministry.      <  >n  the  contrary,  he 

thought  himself  so  slow  <>f  speech,  as  to  he  utterly  inca- 
pable of  holding  an  exteiiiporan'  DOS  discourse  j  and  he  felt 
a  strong  disinclination  to  take  any  prominent  part  in  the 
public  worship  of  the  sanctuary.  But  it  is  tin-  province  of 
God  to  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  know  not  ;  and 
while  In-  calls  and  qualifies  men  to  preach  Ins  gospel,  he 
opens  doors  of  usefulness  lor  them,  and  jxnnts  out  the  pro- 
vidential path  in  which  he  would  have  them  to  walk.  The 
KingSWOOd  population  was  then,  and  had  been  from  time 
immemorial,  degraded  and  demoralized  beyond  docrip- 
tion  :  it  is  impossible  to  enumerate  any  vicious,  brutal,  or 
BliscbieVOUf  practices  to  which  the  inhabitants  were  not 
generally  addicted.  Shame  was  there  no  longer  the  con- 
comitant of  sin,  but  vice  Walked  forth  in  all  its  hideous  but 
unblushing  deformity.  u  Few  persons,'1  said  Mr.  Wesley, 
u  have  lived  Ions;  in  the  west  of  England,  who  have  not 
heard  of  the  colliers  of  Kingswood,  a  people  famous  for 


22  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

neither  fearing  God  nor  regarding  man  ;  so  ignorant  of  the 
things  of  God,  that  they  seemed  but  one  remove  from  the 
beasts  that  perish ;  and  therefore  utterly  without  desire  of 
instruction,  as  well  as  without  the  means  of  it."  It  must 
be  acknowledged,  that  for  several  years  before  Mr.  Ben- 
son took  up  his  residence  at  Kingswood,  some  consider- 
able improvements  had  taken  place  in  the  moral  condition 
of  the  inhabitants :  a  congregation  had  been  gathered,  a 
chapel  erected,  a  society  formed,  and  some  notoriously 
profligate  characters  had  been  converted  from  the  error  of 
their  ways  ;  but  still  the  means  of  instruction  were  totally 
inadequate  to  meet  the  moral  exigence  of  the  population. 
Schools  there  were  none ;  the  attendance  of  the  itinerant 
preachers  was  very  irregular  ;  and  hence,  Mr.  Benson  was 
persuaded  to  engage  occasionally  in  the  prayer-meetings, 
and,  subsequently,  to  supply  the  places  of  the  preachers, 
when  disappointments  occurred ;  and  thus  unawares,  and 
without  any  previously-formed  plan,  he  was  led,  much 
against  his  inclination,  to  become  a  regular  preacher  of  the 
everlasting  gospel.  It  must  be  conceded  that  God  frequently 
communicates  a  knowledge  of  his  will  to  the  minds  of 
those  whom  he  designs  to  employ  in  the  work  of  the 
ministry.  They  are  inwardly  moved  by  the  Holy  Ghost 
to  preach  the  gospel ;  and  they  know  that  their  own  salva- 
tion will  be  endangered  if  they  prove  disobedient  to  the 
heavenly  calling.  But  there  are  cases  in  which  a  convic- 
tion of  duty  is  not  so  clear  as  to  amount  to  certainty,  and 
the  impression  on  the  mind  is  not  so  vivid  as  to  exclude 
doubt.  They  are  not  always  the  most  favoured  ministers 
of  the  word  who  are  the  most  forward  to  engage  in  the 
ministerial  work.  There  may  be  great  confidence,  where 
there  is  but  little  qualification.  Few  men  in  modern  times 
have  been  more  honoured  of  God,  or  more  successful  in 
winning  souls  to  Christ,  than  Mr.  Benson  ;  and  yet  few 
men  have  entered  on  the  work  of  the  ministry  with  more 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH   BE.V-  23 

reluctance,  or  felt  less  confident  of  their  ability  for  the  light 
discharge  of  it,  than  be  did. 

Soon  alter  Mr.  Benson's  establishment  at  K  inns  wood, 
he  commenced  a  correspondence  with  Mr.  Wesley,  The 
following  j  ire  extract!  from  two  of  Mr.  W.  - 

letters  to  him  ;  the  one  dated  r  7th,  i?ob,  and  the 

other  December  1th,  in  the  same  year: — 

"  Dear  JotSPH, —  You  have  now  twenty  BON  vol 

of  the  '  Philosophical  Truntirtimn,1     l)r.  Bartons   I 

and  Greek  Poems  yon  have  to  the  study.     Mai.  i>r  tn« -In*, 

and  some  other  hooks.  IK  I SOOUBg •  LogJS  J  "U  eannot 
crack,  without  a  tutor:  I  lnu-t  read  il  to  PetOf  and  yeSJ,  if 
We  Uve  to  meet.      It  would  not  lie  aSBJSS  it   I  had  a  eStsJogUS 

of  the  books  ai  Kingsu 1;  thou]  should  know  the  better 

what  to  buy.     As  Easl  aa  1  dm  meet  with  them  at  m 
shall  procure  whal  are  \  ag.     But  beware  yon  he 

not  swallowed  op  in  books:  ea  oumoe  of  lets  i>  north  a 
pound  of  knowledge.     I  cam 

thing,  (and  it  is  a  thing  of  importance,)  thai  you  may  make 
greater  progress  in  valuable  knowledge,  by  reading  those 
hooks,  (particularly  if  read  m  thai  order,)  than  yes  can  by 
reading  any  other  books  which  are  now  extant  m  England. 

It  follows,  that  your  friend   B.,  in  this  r>  SBSJl  t,  M  DOt 

friend.      1'or  he  puts  you  out  of  Your  way  ;    he  retard 

in  the  attainment  of  the  most  useful  know  ledi_r«'.      II' 

tnies  your  curiosity,  (a  had  principle  too,)  at  the  topes** 

of  your  improvement.      It    is    hetter   for  you  to  read   theSS 
books  than  his;    which  (if  they  are  not  hurtful  or  danger- 
ous, at  least)  do  not  lead  directly  to  the  end  you  pfJ  | 
Choose  the  OSSt  way." 

From  these  extracts  it  appears,  that   .Mr.  Iienxui 
accustomed  to  consult  Mr.   Wesley   in   reference  to   the 
books  which  lie  should  study  :  and  under  date  of  July  2oth, 


24  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

1769,  he  wrote  out  a  list  of  classic  works,  and  of  many  of 
the  most  approved  books  that  have  appeared  in  the  Eng- 
lish language  on  a  variety  of  subjects,  on  which  he  was 
in  the  habit  of  making  observations  as  he  perused  them. 
About  this  time  he  finished  the  reading  of  Locke's  Treatise 
of  the  Human  Understanding,  Butler's  Analogy,  the  an- 
cient part  of  the  Universal  History,  Euclid's  Elements ;  and 
he  had  begun  the  perusal  of  Newton's  Principia.  From 
this  it  is  evident,  that  he  not  only  availed  himself  of  every 
opportunity  of  acquainting  himself  with  such  books  as 
more  immediately  related  to  his  office  as  classical  tutor, 
but  that,  under  the  influence  of  that  intense  thirst  for  know- 
ledge, peculiar  to  men  of  comprehensive  and  inquiring 
minds,  he  was  led  to  study  works  of  general  science,  and 
thus  to  intermeddle  with  all  wisdom.  A  few  months  pre- 
viously to  this,  he  had  entered  his  name  in  the  books  of 
the  University  of  Oxford,  and  "  believed  that  his  doing  so 
was  in  conformity  with  the  divine  will."  He  had  written 
to  Mr.  Wesley  on  the  subject,  and  the  following  letter  is 
his  answer : — 

"  Cork,  May  27th,  1769. 
"  Dear  Joseph, — You  have  now  (what  you  never  had 
before)  a  clear  providential  call  to  Oxford.  If  you  keep 
a  single  eye,  and  have  courage  and  steadiness,  you  may 
be  an  instrument  of  much  good.  But  you  will  tread  on  slip- 
pery ground ;  and  the  serious  persons  you  mention  may  do 
you  more  hurt  than  many  others.  When  I  was  at  Oxford, 
I  never  was  afraid  of  any  but  the  almost  Christians.  If 
you  give  way  to  them  and  their  prudence,  a  hair's  breadth, 
you  will  be  removed  from  the  hope  of  the  gospel.  If  you 
are  not  moved,  if  you  tread  in  the  same  steps  which  my 
brother  and  I  did,  you  may  be  a  means,  under  God,  of 
raising  another  set  of  real  Bible  Christians.  How  long 
the  world  will  suffer  them,  (whether  longer  than  they  did 
us  or  not,)  is  in  God's  hand." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  9 

From  that  time  .Mr.  Benson  regularly  kept  his  terms  at 
iinund  Hall  ;  and  was.  according  to  the  testimony  of 
a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  Knffl.ind.  who  was  his  con- 
temporary and  friend  at  that  scat  of  loaning,  "  conscien- 
tiously ■  Meati re  t<>  tin-  stadias  and  obli  4  Ins  situa- 
tion." By  diligent  study,  bo  arojnarntod  awnoelf  more  fully 
with  tin-  claaaici  and  with  mrtaphysica \  and  he  ittaaderi 
ectures  on  all  the  branch*  a  of  natural  philosophy,  ami 
cultivated  every  pari  of  ■  oniv<  raitj  education.  Hut  while 
he  pursued  his  i  laaatcal  and  mathematical   studies  with 

unwearied  Bflaidnify,  In-  was  not  uunundlul  of  his  own  per- 
sonal salvation.  To  maintain  the  life  of  Ood  in  hil  affn 
soul,  was  his  first  concern  :  and  BOibing  gave  him  such 
exquisite  pain  of  mind,  as  that  deep  sense,  under  which 
he    laboured,    Of   his    own    unpen*  i  1 « -    read    with 

great  attention  Dr.  Doddridge'e  descviption  of  ton  <  "hrisuau 

temper;    and.  to   usr  his   own   words,    be    complained  that 

"he  came    short  of   it  in    many  respects."       Il«-  then 

M0  my  God,  I   am  DO!  ■  shining   ima<je  of  my  Redeemer. 

Humble  me,  that  after  ao  Ion  nion  1  have  brought 

forth  so  little  innt.     I  am  indeed  ashamed  before  tie 

claim  pardon  through  Jeaua  .    and  «jlor\  lor  evat  I  I 
BO  thee,  thou  dost   pardon  and   l-iv<    in.  |fl  thvs.df." 

He  then  BOl  apart  ■  day  lor  the  express  purpose  of  dedi- 
cating himself  to  God.  The  fbOowing  is  the  foam  of 
words  which  lie  ased  mi  the  occasion; — 

"Eternal   and  ever-blessed  God!    1   desire  to  present 
myself  before  thee  with  the  deepest  humiliation  and  ibaso 

nient  of  soul,  sensible  liow  unwotth\   SUoh  a   sinful   worm 

is  to  appear  before  the  hol\  Majesty  of  heaven,  the  King 
of  kings,  ami  the  Lord  of  lords ;  and  especially  on   such 

an  occasion  as  this,  even  to  Miter  into  a  covenant  transac- 
tion with  thee.  Hut  the  scheme  and  plan  are  thine.  Thy 
lnlinite  condescension  hath  offered  it  by  thy  .^on,  and  thy 
grace  hath  inclined  my  heart  to  accept  of  it. 

2 


26  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

"  I  come,  therefore,  acknowledging  myself  to  have  been 
a  great  offender ;  smiting  on  my  breast,  and  saying,  '  God 
be  merciful  to  me  a  sinner.'  I  come,  invited  by  thy  Son, 
and  wholly  trust  in  his  merits  for  acceptance  ;  entreating 
that,  for  his  sake,  thou  wilt  be  merciful  to  my  unrighteous- 
ness, and  wilt  no  more  remember  my  sins.  Receive,  I 
beseech  thee,  thy  revolted  creature,  who  is  convinced  of 
thy  right  to  him,  and  desires  nothing  so  much  as  that  he 
may  be  wholly  thine ! 

"  This  day  I  do,  with  all  solemnity,  again  surrender  my- 
self to  thee,  as  thy  grace  hath  often  inclined  me  to  do  in 
times  past,  though  my  rebellious  heart  hath  frequently 
turned  aside  from  following  thee,  and  wandered  after  vani- 
ty. I  would  now  again  renounce  all  former  lords  that  have 
had  dominion  over  me,  and  consecrate  to  thee  all  I  have 
and  all  that  I  am :  the  faculties  of  my  mind,  and  all  the 
knowledge  thou  hast  enabled  me  to  attain  by  the  use  of 
those  faculties  ;  the  members  of  my  body,  my  worldly  in- 
come and  possessions  of  whatever  kind,  my  time,  and  my 
influence  over  others  ;  to  be  all  used  entirely  to  thy  glory, 
and  resolutely  employed  in  obedience  to  thy  commands,  as 
long  as  thou  continuest  me  in  life :  with  an  ardent  and 
humble  resolution  to  continue  thine,  through  all  the  endless 
ages  of  eternity. 

"  To  thy  direction,  also,  I  resign  myself,  and  all  I  am 
and  have,  to  be  disposed  of  by  thee  in  such  a  manner,  as 
thou  shalt  in  infinite  wisdom  judge  most  subservient  to  thy 
glory.  To  thee  I  leave  the  management  of  all  events  ;  and 
say,  without  reserve,  '  Not  my  will,  but  thine  be  done.' 

"  While  I  live,  may  I  live  only  to  be  used  as  an  instru- 
ment to  promote  thy  glory.  O  let  me  be  employed  in  thy 
service  !  Lord,  make  me  useful ;  and  keep  me  continually 
sensible  that  my  usefulness  depends  entirely  upon  thyself. 
Convinced  of  my  own  weakness  and  insufficiency  for  the 
work  that  thou  hast  called  me  to,  I  would  look  to  thee  for 


LIFE  OF  JOftEPH  BENSON.  27 

a  supply  of  every  deficiency;  for  gifts  and  grace,  that  I 
may  in  my  present  capacity  be  useful  to  thy  w  n 
whom  thou  bast  placed  me,  tod  ioto  thy  church  tod 
pic.  For  this  purpose,  by  long  experience,  I  find  I  am 
insufficient  of  myself,  and  also  in  in)  measure  to  do  thy 
will  without  thy  continued  ssfiintsnrfi ;  sod  therefore  hum- 
bly declare.  I    r»ly  ami   trust   tin-rein,   beseeching   UN 

iraah   ni<-  in  the  blood  of  my  Saviour,  sanctirj   me  by 
Ins  Spirit,  transform  me  more  and  more  into  his  ii 
and  let  my  life  be  spent  under  the  influence  of  Ins  j 

and   in  the  light  of  thy  count,  nam  0  tl  mv   l'ather  an!  mv 

God 
••  Numbei  me  among  thy  peculiar  people;  and  a 

the  solemn  hour  of  death  pontes,  ma)  1  remember  this  thy 
covenant,  w.  n  ordered  in  ill  things  and  sure,  u  my  ml* 
ration  and  all  my  desire,  though  every  hope  and  enjoy- 
ment is  perishing,  ind  do  thou, ( I  Lord,  remember  it  too. 
Look  down  with  pity,  0  inv  heavenly  Father,  on  thy  lan- 
guishing and  dying  child  '  Embrace  me  in  thy  everlasting 
arms.  Put  strength  and  confidence  into  my  departing 
nt.  and  receive,  at  the  sbodes  of  them  that  Bleep  in  Jesus, 
•  fully  and  joyfullj  to  wait  tic  accomplishment  of  thy 
great  promise  to  all  thj  people,  even  thai  of  a  glorious  re- 
surrection, and  of  eternal  bappinesa  in  thy  heavenlj  pre- 
sence. \nd  if  an)  surviving  friend  should,  when  I  ■ 
the  dust,  meat  with  this  memorisJ  of  m\  solemn  tm 

tions  with  thee,  may  he  make  tl:-  nuts  his  own' 

And   do   thou    graciously    admit  him  to  partake  of  all   the 
blessings  of  thj  covenant  through  the  great  Mediator  of  it ; 
to  whom,  yn  ith  thee,  <  >  Father,  and  dry  Holy  Spirit,  be 
lasting  praises  aacribed  by  all  the  millions  who  are  thus 

saved  In  thee,  and  all  those  other  celestial  spirits  m  w  hose 
work    tod    bleS8edne88    thou    hast    called    them    to    share' 

Amen.  Joseph  Benson." 


28  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

During  his  residence  at  Kingswood,  he  was  favoured 
with  an  opportunity  of  forming  an  acquaintance  with  Mr. 
Fletcher.  "  As  he  occasionally,"  says  Mr.  Benson,  "  made 
an  excursion  from  Madeley  to  Bristol  and  Bath,  in  one  of 
those  excursions  we  invited  him  to  preach  at  Kingswood. 
He  was  peculiarly  assisted  while  he  was  applying  those 
encouraging  words,  '  Him  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in 
no  wise  cast  out.'  The  people  were  exceedingly  affected  ; 
indeed  quite  melted  down.  The  tears  streamed  so  fast 
from  the  eyes  of  the  poor  colliers,  that  their  black  faces 
were  washed  by  them,  and  almost  universally  streaked 
with  white.  And  as  to  himself,  his  zealous  soul  had  been 
carried  out  so  far  beyond  his  strength,  that  when  he  con- 
cluded, he  put  off  a  shirt  which  was  as  wet  as  if  it  had 
been  dipped  in  water.  But  this  was  nothing  strange  : 
wherever  he  preached,  it  was  generally  the  case.  From 
this  time  I  conceived  a  particular  esteem  for  him,  chiefly 
on  account  of  his  piety ;  and  wished  much  for  a  further 
acquaintance  with  him, — a  blessing  which  I  soon  after 
obtained." 


CHAPTER  II. 

The  college  at  Trevecca  in  Wales — Terms  on  which  the  students 
were  admitted — Mr.  Fletcher  appointed  to  superintend  the  establish- 
ment— Mr.  Benson  chosen  head-master — His  dismissal  from  the  college 
— His  removal  to  Oxford — Is  refused  ordination — Leaves  Oxford — 
Visits  his  friends  at  Bristol — Preaches  in  different  parts  of  Wiltshire. 

About  the  year  1767,  the  countess  of  Huntingdon 
founded  a  college  at  Trevecca,  for  the  education  of  candi- 
dates for  the  Christian  ministry.  For  several  years  pre- 
viously, her  ladyship  had  been  engaged  in  purchasing, 
hiring,  or  building  chapels  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom, 
for  the  performance  of  divine  worship.     These  chapels  had 


Ufl  Of  jwim  raKfl  M 

been  almost  uniformly  supplied  by  clergymen,  who  were 
episcopally  ordained,  and  who  conducted  the  worship 
cording  to  the  u*ag<  -  "'  thi   <  ttaMished  Church.     But  in 
proportion  ;is  new  doors  <•!  i  .  and 

supplies  for  additional  places  urgently  rt«juir««l.  a  audi 
nunilx  r  of  clergymen  coald  not  be  procwed  to  meet  the 
growing  demand.     And  tins  suggested  to  the  muni  of  the 
counteei  the   idea  <>f  founding  a  college  for  training  np 

young  men  lor  the  ministry.     It  w  I  to  admit  such 

• 

candidates  <>iil\  •  k  of  grace  in 

their  hearta;  and  who  \  olred  to  d  them- 

selves  entirely  to  the  work  of  the   Lord.     They 
allowed  to  remain  in  the  oollege  for  t  i  have 

tlnir  education,  with  all  the  n- 
t<>  be  presented  annually  with  a  new  suit  of  cloth* 
each  student  \  and  at  the  expiration  of  the  allotted  term, 
th«\  were  u>  be  at  lull  libertj  opal  ordination, 

and  lo  -jo  into  the  church,  of  to  exercise  their  min 
innrng  Proteetanl  disaentera.     Tin  erection  of  this  aerni- 

nary  nut  with    the  nmninv  n  .action    of  the  BSOSl 

eminent  erangelical  minisfc  rs  of  that  day.  It  waa  opened 
Villus!  24th,  1768;  ami  the  countess  oi  Huntingdon  had 
in\  ited  Mr.  Fletcher,  whom  she  had  knon  q  (of  some  j 
ami  of  whose  pietj .  Learning,  and  abilim  b  she  had  fotaw  d 
a  most  exalted  opinion,  to  take  the  superintendence  of  it. 
With  tliis  imitation  Mr.  Fletcher  most  willingly  complied  ; 

and  though   the  duties   oi"  his   parish    prerented    him    Irom 

making  Trerecca  his  constant  residence,  yet  he  agreed  to 
spend  as  much  time  there  as  his  i  in  nasal  am  os  alio 
The  office  which  he  was  called  to  till  required  him  to  di- 
rect the  appointment  of  masters,  the  admsasion  or  exclu- 
sion of  students,  end  to  watch  over  the  general,  and  espe- 
cially the  spiritual,  interest  of  the  establishment.     And 

this  he  consented  to  do,  without  fee  or  reward;  influenced 
by  the  sole  motive  of  benefiting  these  young  men,  who 


30  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

were  candidates  for  the  glorious  office  of  preaching  the 
gospel. 

In  the  course  of  a  few  months  after  the  opening  of  the 
college,  on  the  recommendation  of  Mr.  Fletcher,  and  with 
the  sanction  of  Mr.  Wesley,  Mr.  Benson  was  chosen  by 
the  countess  to  be  head-master  of  the  establishment.  For 
some  time  after  his  appointment  to  this  office,  he  was 
unable  to  leave  Kingswood,  for  want  of  a  person  to  fill  his 
situation  there  ;  yet  in  the  spring  of  the  year  1770  he 
quitted  that  place,  and  went  to  reside  at  Trevecca ;  and 
for  some  time  he  was  well  satisfied  with  the  office  which 
he  was  appointed  to  fill.  The  young  men  were  serious, 
they  made  considerable  progress  in  learning,  and  many  of 
them  seemed  to  have  talents  for  the  ministry.  Mr.  Fletcher 
visited  them  frequently ;  and  was  received  as  an  angel  of 
God.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the  veneration  in  which 
they  all  held  him.  Like  Elijah  in  the  schools  of  the 
prophets,  he  was  revered ;  he  was  loved ;  he  was  almost 
adored ;  and  that  not  only  by  the  students,  but  by  every 
member  of  the  family.  His  full  heart  would  not  suffer 
him  to  be  silent.  He  must  speak ;  and  the  students  were 
more  ready  to  hearken  to  this  servant  of  Christ,  than  to 
attend  to  Sallust,  Virgil,  Cicero,  or  any  Latin  or  Greek 
historian,  poet,  or  philosopher  which  they  had  been 
engaged  in  reading.  And  they  seldom  hearkened  long 
before  they  were  all  in  tears,  and  every  heart  caught  fire 
from  the  flame  which  burned  in  his  soul. 

But  it  is  to  be  lamented  that  this  happy  and  prosperous 
state  of  the  college  was  but  of  brief  duration.  It  could 
scarcely,  indeed,  be  expected,  that  no  attempts  would  be 
made  to  interrupt  the  harmony,  and  destroy  the  union,  that 
reigned  among  the  students.  Offences  will  come,  dissen- 
sions and  divisions  will  arise,  even  in  the  best-organized 
societies  ;  and  though  the  institution  at  Trevecca  was 
commenced   under   such   favourable    circumstances,   and 


L11K  f»l  JOSEPH  l;h.\  -  51 

placed  under  the  superintendence  and  direction  o( 
exemplary  tad  w<  li-qualified  men,  yet,  in  m  "i 

two  \  iDg  up  aud  tro 

'  thereby  many  ha  I  tied.     Th 

tins  reqniri  da  of  explanation. 

In   tuguat,  1770,  the  twenty-seventh  Method  - 
mm  ami  held  in  London.     To  r»'j><  I 
of  Antinomianiam,  and  convey  co  \an- 

il    truth,    certain    propositioi 
published,  which  muat  !>«•  familiar  to  moat  of  our  n 
M  Lady  1  (untingdon, 
like-minded  with  bi  tpprehending  that  tin-   ; 

:l  truths  of  the  gospel  were  struck  at  la  these  Mi 
of  confer*  act  .  and  considering  Mr.  W  - 
in  the  relij  _  at  the  h<  b  nu- 

merous societies,  thought  it  incumbent  upon  them  so 
their  abhorrence  of  the  doctrrnea  which  he  eepaanod  ami 
taught;  doctrines  which  they  beta  arhole 

fabric  of  the  Christian  faith.     Mr.  Shirley  pubLtclj 
thai  ha  '  deemed  peace  ia  snefa  icful  indo- 

kanoe,   and   silenca  to  Lees  than  treachery.'     And   [ 
Huntingdon,  resolved  that  no  imputation  oi 
mi!  to   Mich  doctrines  should  In-  on  h«  r  name,  de< 
that  whoerver  did  not  wholly  tern,  ahould  quit  her 

college.     That  Mr.  Bens 

i  siviniatic  doctrines  ia  mare  than  ,  H 

previously  published  s  pamphlet  on  the  Baptism  of  the 
I  loly  ( rhost,  in  wlui  h  ha  declared  his  belief  io  the  infinite 
efficiency  of  the  eternal  Spiril  to  eradicate  the  prim/ 

innate  deprawty.  and  i  1.  SOoJ  from  the laat  remains 

of  mii  in  tiiis  life.  This  doctrine  w  ;i-  th<  .1  deemed  by  Mr. 
Shirley  anil   Lady  Hunti  md  anti-Scrip- 

tural  ;   and  now.  having  committed  an  addition. i  off<  D 

vindicating  Mr.  \\  ash  y.  and  defending  the  doctrine  of  the 
Minnies  of  the  conference,  he  was  unceremoniously  die- 


32  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

missed  from  the  college.  As  it  was  by  Mr.  Fletcher's 
influence  and  recommendation  that  Mr.  Benson  had  been 
admitted  into  this  seminary,  he  sought  the  earliest  oppor- 
tunity of  acquainting  him  with  his  dismissal :  the  intelli- 
gence of  this,  not  only  gave  him  great  uneasiness,  but 
drew  from  him  the  following  observations  in  a  letter  to 
Lady  Huntingdon  : — 'Mr.  Benson  made  a  very  just  defence, 
when  he  said,  he  did  hold  with  me,  the  possibility  of  sal- 
vation for  all  men  ;  that  mercy  is  offered  to  all,  and  yet 
may  be  received  or  rejected.  If  this  be  what  your  lady 
ship  calls  Mr.  Wesley's  opinion,  free-will,  Arminianism, 
and  if  every  Arminian  must  quit  the  college,  I  am  actually 
discharged  also.  For,  in  my  present  view  of  things,  I 
must  hold  that  sentiment,  if  I  believe  that  the  Bible  is  true, 
and  that  God  is  love. 

" '  For  my  part  I  am  no  party  man.  In  the  Lord  I  am 
your  servant,  and  that  of  your  every  student.  But  I  can- 
not give  up  the  honour  of  being  connected  with  my  old 
friends,  who,  notwithstanding  their  failings,  are  entitled  to 
my  respect,  gratitude,  and  assistance,  could  I  occasionally 
give  them  any.  Mr.  Wesley  shall  always  be  welcome  to 
my  pulpit ;  and  I  shall  gladly  bear  my  testimony  in  his,  as 
well  as  Mr.  Whitefield's.  But  if  your  ladyship  forbid  your 
students  to  preach  for  the  one,  and  offer  them  to  preach  for 
the  other  at  every  turn  ;  and  if  a  master  is  discarded  for 
believing  that  Christ  died  for  all ;  then  prejudice  reigns ; 
charity  is  cruelly  wounded ;  and  party  spirit  shouts,  pre- 
vails, and  triumphs.' " 

To  Mr.  Benson,  Mr.  Fletcher  writes  as  follows : — "  If 
the  procedure  you  mention  be  fact,  and  your  letter  be  a 
fair  account  of  the  transactions  and  words  relative  to  your 
discharge,  a  false  step  has  been  taken.  If  the  plan  of  the 
college  be  overthrown,  I  have  nothing  more  to  say  to  it : 
the  confined  tool  of  any  party  I  never  was,  and  never  will 
be."     And  in  a  subsequent  letter  to  Mr.  Benson,  dated 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 


33 


Man  h  22d,  1771,  he  18}  i:   "  I  >n  mv  arrival  at  the  eologS 

I  found  all  very  quiet)  1  fear  through  ;  ft  beeping 

mxIs  in  peace.     While  I  preached  I  found  myself  m 

much  shackled  as  ever  I  was  in  my  life  :   and  alter  private 

prayer,  1  concluded  I   was  not  ho  my  place.     The  nai 
dav  I  resigned  my  office  to  my  lady,  and  on  Wedn< 
to  the  students  and  the  Lord.     Last  Friday  1  left  them  all 
in  peace,  tin    lerrani,  bat  no  mote  the  precedent  of  the 

coll-  If 

When   Mr.   Benson  ires  dianuaaed  from  his  off 
Troveoca,  Lady  Huntingdon  presented  him  with  the  fill- 
lowing  certificate  :  — 

••  JThm  is  to  certify,  that  Mr.  Joseph  Benson  w 
for  the   languages   in   my   college  at  Talgarth  for  nine 

months  ;     and    that    during    that    time,    from    his    capacity, 

sobriety,  and  diligence,  he  acquitted  himself  properly  in 
that  character  ;  and  I  un  ready  at  any  timi  j  this 

on  his  behalf,  whenever  required,        S.   1L  ntinc 
Januai  y  17/A,  1"<  "<  1 

From  this  document   it  will  be  seen,  tliat   i'  was  not   for 

any  defect  in  his  moral  character,  or  any  incompetency 
for  the  right  diacharge  of  his  ofhVial  duties,  thai  Mr 
son  was  dismissed  from  Trevecca  ;  but  merely  I  i 
would  not  renounce  the  doctrines  which,  as  ■  mimttfrr  of 

that  goapel  which  contains  glad  tidiiiLis  and  good  news  to 
all  men,  he  was  hound  to  maintain  and  defend.      How  tar 

this  abrupt  and  uncourteous  dismissal  of  Mr.  Benson  from 
the  office  which  he  held  can  he  justified,  demands  a  doubt. 

The  countess  must  hare  known,  when  she  appointed  him 
to  superintend  the  classical  department  at  her  college,  that 
his  creed  was  decidedly  Anninian;  and  now.  because  he 
would  not  play  the  hypocrite,  and  act  inconsistently  witli 
his  profession,  he  must  he  precipitately  expelled  from  his 
office.     That  his   continuance   at   Trevecca  would   have 

2* 


34  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

involved  him  in  the  most  disagreeable  circumstances,  must 
be  readily  admitted.  The  students  were  chiefly  Calvinis- 
tic  in  their  creed  ;  and  the  peculiarities  of  that  creed  were 
made  so  prominent  in  their  discourses,  that  even  their  best 
friends  were  disgusted  with  them.  As  a  proof  of  it,  Mr. 
Wesley  says  in  his  Journal :  "  Friday,  August  14th,  1772. 
About  noon,  at  the  request  of  my  old  friend  Howel  Harris, 
I  preached  at  Trevecca  on  '  the  strait  gate  ;'  and  we  found 
our  hearts  knit  together  as  at  the  beginning.  He  said,  '  I 
have  borne  with  those  pert,  ignorant  young  men,  vulgarly 
called  students,  till  I  cannot  in  conscience  bear  any  longer. 
They  preach  barefaced  reprobation,  and  so  broad  Anti- 
nomianism,  that  I  have  been  constrained  to  oppose  them 
to  the  face,  even  in  the  public  congregation.'"  Mr.  Wes- 
ley adds,  "  It  is  no  wonder  that  they  should  preach  thus. 
What  better  can  be  expected  from  raw  lads  of  little  under- 
standing, little  learning,  and  no  experience  ?"  Thus  cir- 
cumstanced, had  Mr.  Benson  continued  to  reside  at  Tre- 
vecca, he  would  have  had  to  occupy  the  same  pulpit  and 
preach  to  the  same  congregation  as  his  pupils ;  and  by 
coming  in  collision  with  each  other,  the  college  would 
have  been  a  house  divided  against  itself;  and  thus,  dispu- 
tations and  controversies  would  have  ensued,  productive  of 
the  most  unpleasant  effects,  and  ruinous  to  the  peace  and 
harmony  of  the  establishment.  And  though  the  expulsion 
of  Mr.  Benson  from  the  college  must  have  been  inexpressi- 
bly painful  to  his  own  mind,  yet  it  tended  to  bind  him  more 
closely  to  the  doctrines  of  Methodism  ;  and  ultimately  led 
to  his  becoming  an  itinerant  preacher  in  the  Wesleyan 
connection.  But  he  had  long  before  that  fixed  his  mind  on 
going  into  the  Church ;  his  father  had  designed  him  to  be 
a  Church  minister ;  and  from  early  life  he  had  a  strong 
predilection  toward  the  Establishment ;  and  now,  being 
dismissed  from  Trevecca,  he  went  to  Oxford,  with  a 
design  of  graduating  in  the  usual  manner :  but  here  new 


LIFE  UF  JOSEPH  BKNS 

difficulties  met  him,  and  insurmountable  i 

thrown  in  bis  way.      The  foUowia  .  words: — 

.  1.  in  hop 
in  the  Ian  md  sciem 

after  the  dodofi  tad  muttrn  in  full  convocation, 
search  being  made,  had  expelled  from  the  university,  not 
onh   all  that  Of  >unded  the 

Scriptures   to  the    pOOI  md  igBOtanl  in  pr: 
MM  n  or  eouulij  .  but,  ilao,  all  th 
in  capacity  <»r  Learning  ;  had  I  not  im 

booOSJM  ■  iiu'ihImt  of  a  \  try  l< 

i >ut  hou    grant   ami  m\    isUmishmenl  and  mortift 

when,  waiting  upon  my  tutor.  Mr.  B ,  to  know  in  what 

hooks  m  would  give  im-  lectures,  I  •  to  nadsc* 

stanil  that  the  hooks  which  the  gentlemen  under  bit 
read,  (some  oi  whom  w  ere  in  ovdl 

nd  tlu   Greek  Testament,  ami  that  I  must  go  through 

these    hooks    with   them.       \: 

bus  houn  appointed,  unable  any  long<  r  to  brook  so  much 

t  tunc.  I   made  hold  to  Ultimata  that  t i , - 

■net  of  the  Latin  and  Greek  •   rety  familiar 

to  me.  as  1  had  taught  them  all  fat  BOflM  VI  jram- 

mar  school    mar    BlistoL       lie    then  informed  uie.  that  he 

would  excuse  mj  stfrnndtng,  but,  as  nunc  of  the  other 

tleinen  under  hifl  Care   w « -r«-   caps  ling   :ni)    i 

books,   he   could   not  convenientl] 

any  other.     1  vraa  therefore  obliged,  \..  aiver 

sitv,  to  be,  n  iiat  you  call,  self-taught  ;  lor  I  did  i. 
the  smallest  ■TTtir*nw  <•  from  I  .  for  a 

few  times,  public  lectures  on  divinity,  read  by  the  n 
professor,  at  Christ  Church,  and  went  through  a  course  of 
lectures  on  experimental  philosophy." 

But  this  disappointment  was  hut  a  prelude  to  one  more 
severely  painful,  to  which  he  was  subsequently  obliged  to 
submit.     In  conversation  with  his  tutor,  he  was  induced  to 


36  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

relate,  in  the  most  frank  and  undisguised  manner,  some 
portions  of  his  history  ;  especially  his  connection  with  Mr. 
Wesley  and  with  Lady  Huntingdon,  and  the  religious  ex- 
ercises in  which  he  was  called  to  engage  in  consequence 
of  that  connection.  In  doing  this,  he  had  not  the  slightest 
suspicion,  that  these  things  would  operate  to  his  disadvan- 
tage ;  that  the  prejudice  of  his  tutor  would  be  excited,  or 
that  the  door  of  his  admission  into  the  Church  would  be 
thereby  effectually  shut  against  him  :  but  so  it  proved  ;  for 
the  tutor  peremptorily  refused  to  sign  his  testimonials  for 
orders,  and  even  declined  to  consider  him  any  longer  in 
the  character  of  a  pupil. 

In  this  business  Mr.  Benson  considered  himself  unjustly 
and  cruelly  treated.  He  acknowledged  that  he  had  occa- 
sionally, when  in  the  country,  exhorted  and  prayed  with  a 
company  of  people  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  devotion 
in  the  neighbourhood ;  but  this,  was  always  at  an  hour 
which  did  not  interfere  with  the  church  service.  It  could 
have  no  tendency,  therefore,  to  draw  people  from  the 
church ;  especially  as  they  were  advised  constantly  to 
attend  it,  which  they  in  general  did.  Neither  could  it  be 
justly  construed  as  an  endeavour  to  instil  into  them  parti- 
cular notions,  or  opinions  of  small  importance ;  for  the 
exhortations  were  only  calculated  to  promote  true  religion  ; 
to  persuade  to  a  conduct  and  temper  manifestly  good  and 
praiseworthy ;  and  to  dissuade  from  practices  confessedly 
wicked  and  unbecoming.  These  exhortations  he  declare.6. 
he  thought  it  his  duty  to  give  ;  and  he  did  not  conceive 
that  he  had  violated  any  law,  civil  or  ecclesiastical.  And 
to  be  deprived  of  a  university  education,  and  hindered  from 
entering  the  ministry  in  a  regular  manner,  for  doing  what 
he  judged  his  duty,  he  thought  a  very  hard  case. 

And  even  assuming  that  his  conduct  had  been  illegal, 
yet,  as  he  did  not  apprehend  it  such,  but  acted  from  a  con- 
viction of  duty,  the  worst  that  can  be  said  of  it  is,  that  it 


LIFE  OF  J08]  <if 

and  la-  complains  of  it  u  ■» 

.-   and  unjust,  thai  r  iheuld  meet  with  a  punishment, 

seldom,  if  ever,  inflicted  npoo  the  perp  ;  the  most 

mil  immorality  ;  especially  when 

n  m  considered,  thai  In-  had  never  been  warned  or  ad- 

sny 
Liberty  afforded  conduct.     And  bav- 

i.-nt   two  '  the   university,  it  must  have 

attended  with  considerable  expense,  si  well 

and  all  to  BO  pUTOU 

Thus  disappointed,  be  sbsadoned  for  a  while  all  bo] 
andertsking  th«  minister  of  the  Church 

gland  ;  but  haying  subsequently  obtained  lestissoaisie 
from  some  lerjjymen  in  \\  all 

another  i  Sort  to  obtain  ordination.     Rowl< 

and  populous  pan>h.  with  I  UlfB  church,  four  miles  from 

•Bromwich,  was  procured  for  him  at  ■  tide,  bj 
-  clerical  friends.     Ili>  lesdmonials 
to  the  bishop  oi  Worcester]  m  wheae  diocese  Rdwb  j 

situated,  having  been  first  countersigned  by  the  btshi 

Si.  David's.     The  bishop  of  Worcester,  bowev< 

to  ordain  him,  even  without  permitting  him  bn  ued  ; 

Ding  as  a  reason,  his  want  of  an  academical  d< 
A  (-aim  and  dispaae  a   i'lisiness 

must  inevitably  conduct  us  to  the  i  o,  that  the  only 

obstacle  to  Mr.  Benson's  admission  into  the  Church 
from  th»-  disposition  that  he  had  evinced,  and  the  efforts 
which  he  had  made,  to  promote  the  cause  of  < 
(  bristisnity  among  the  ignorant  and  unenlightened  jx>j»u- 

lation  by  which  he  had  been  surrounded.      It  is  admitted 

that  his  conduct  had  been  irregular:  that  is.  be  had  - 

to  do  goed,  and  to  tare  soeie  from  death,  independent  oi 

human  authority,  and  without  due  submission  to  episcopal 
ordination  :  but  he  was  now  w  illinsj  to  conform  to  all  the 
rules  and  regulations  of  the  university  j  and  this  was  the 


38  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON 

only  atonement  that  he  could  possibly  make  for  the  sup- 
posed errors  of  the  former  part  of  his  life  :  but  all  would 
not  do,  the  die  was  now  cast,  the  irremissible  sin  had  been 
committed,  and  no  place  was  found  for  repentance,  though 
he  might  seek  it  carefully  with  tears. 

There  is  a  certain  crisis  in  every  man's  history;  an 
eventful  period  on  which  the  character  of  the  future  state 
of  his  existence  essentially  depends.  And  there  is  a  con- 
trolling Providence  that  frequently  thwarts  his  purpose, 
and  hedges  up  his  way  with  thorns.  For  "  there  are  many 
devices  in  a  man's  heart ;  nevertheless  the  counsel  of  the 
Lord  that  shall  stand."  Mr.  Benson's  hopes  of  obtaining 
ordination  were  now  finally  cut  off.  His  pleasant  pros- 
pects were  all  blighted.  The  reiterated  disappointments 
he  had  met  with  considerably  affected  his  mind,  and  led 
him  seriously  to  review  the  occurrences  of  the  past  year. 
"  Last  year,"  says  he,  "  at  this  time,  I  left  Lady  Hunting- 
don's college.  It  was  a  scene  of  great  trial  and  affliction  ; 
but  I  believe  God  meant  thereby  to  thrust  me  out  into  his 
vineyard.  Just  about  this  time,  I  had  been  more  than  or- 
dinarily in  earnest  to  possess  the  accomplishment  of  the 
promises  of  the  gospel,  respecting  the  indwelling  of  the 
Spirit.  I  was  a  fortnight  with  Mr.  Fletcher,  which  was 
made  a  great  blessing  to  me  ;  and  I  hope  I  did  not  preach 
in  vain  at  Madeley,  Chester,  or  Manchester.  I  found  an 
uncommon  freedom  and  desire  to  devote  myself  entirely  to 
the  work  of  God ;  and  if  he  designed  me  to  labour  among 
the  Methodists,  could,  I  thought,  cheerfully  submit.  I  ex- 
pected that  this  might  be  the  case  ;  and  found  great  free- 
dom to  pray,  that  God  would  dispose  of  me  as  should  most 
tend  to  advance  his  glory.  It  did  not  surprise  me,  there- 
fore, to  find  my  tutor  at  Oxford  determine  to  act  no  longer 
toward  me  in  that  capacity.  I  could  not  help  seeing  the 
hand  of  God  in  this  affair,  and  I  truly  believed  it  his  will 
that  I  should  leave  the  university." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  M 

On  leaving  Oxford,  Mr.  Unison  paid  ;i  rial  to  his  friends 
at  Bristol  and  its  vicinity,  when  be  tu  well  known,  and 
much   respected.     Here,    he    ^:|>"-   ul    remeined  h 
seven   weeks,  preaehing  generally  every  day,  either  in 
those,  or  the  neighbouring  parts.     The  intermediate  time 
m  devoted  to  prayer,  conversation,  or  study."'     From 
April,  1771,  until  the  following  August,  he  was  emp] 
in   ssoai  liisg   in   different   parts  of  Wiltshire.     u  I  have 
rcuMiii."  ^;i\>  be,  "to  acknowledge  die  provider) 
in  bringing  me  here;  for  he  made  the  word  which  he 
enabled  Die  to  preach  a  blessing  to  many."     Hut  though 
Ins  laboun  in  this  field  of  usefulness  were  crowned  with 

eminent  success,  and  sinners  were  COU retted,  and  bel 

edified  by  his  ministry  .  yet,  at  times,  his  muni  was  greeny 

harassed  and  distressed  by  sei  are  oouflicta  a  nh  the  enemy, 

who  tempted  him  even  to  douht  the  truth  of  divine  rev.  lation. 

But   instead  <>i  casting  away  In-  confidence,  and  giving 

plaes  to  the  devil,  he  continued  to  pray  with  increased 
earnestness  and  importunity;  and  "the  Lord."  says  he, 
"scattered  my  doubts,  and  showed  me  more  clearly  the 

\v;.\   (»1   sahation  hy  faith  m   (iirist.      1   was  Ml   SOU 

ioustoknou  boa  f  hid  rcisulTod, or  set  iseolreil     1  had  the 

Lord  with  me  m  all  things ;  my  bouJ  rejoiced  m  hia 

and  I   was  continually  expecting  him  to  fulfil  in  me  all  his 

good  pleasure." 


40  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Mr.  Benson  is  appointed  to  the  London  circuit — Mr.  Fletcher's  let- 
ter to  him — His  admission  into  full  connection — Is  appointed  to  the 
Newcastle  circuit — Is  removed  to  Edinburgh — Extracts  from  his  jour- 
nal— Letter  to  him  from  Lady  Maxwell — Letter  from  Mr.  Wesley — Is 
reappointed  to  Newcastle — Labours  to  suppress  smuggling — Mr. 
Wesley's  advice  to  him  on  the  subject — Is  stationed  at  Bradford — Ex- 
tracts from  his  journal — Remarks  on  Thomas  Walsh — Observations  on 
watch-nights. 

In  pursuing  our  narrative,  we  now  come  to  another 
eventful  period  in  Mr.  Benson's  history  ;  when  he  entered 
on  an  extended  sphere  of  duty,  and  gave  himself  up  more 
fully  than  he  had  previously  done  to  the  important  and 
responsible  work  of  the  Christian  ministry.  In  the  year 
1771,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Wesley,  he  became  an 
itinerant  preacher  in  the  Methodist  connection,  and  was 
appointed  to  labour  in  the  London  circuit.  Methodism  at 
that  time  was  comparatively  but  little  known ;  the  total 
number  of  itinerant  preachers  in  the  whole  kingdom  was 
only  about  one  hundred,  and  the  tract  of  country  included 
in  the  London  circuit,  where  more  than  sixty  itinerant 
preachers  are  now  employed,  had  then  only  four ;  and  the 
number  of  members,  which  at  present  amount  to  upward 
of  twenty  thousand,  within  that  circle,  were  but  two  thou- 
sand four  hundred  and  twenty.  The  London  circuit  at 
that  time  was  widely  extended  ;  the  walks  were  long,  the 
facilities  for  travelling  few,  the  labours  hard,  and  the  ac- 
commodations, in  many  of  the  country  places  especially, 
mean  and  scanty.  But  though  Mr.  Benson's  life  had  been 
rather  sedentary,  and  he  had  previously  been  unaccus- 
tomed to  this  mode  of  living,  yet  he  willingly  submitted  to 
all  the  inconveniences,  deprivations,  and  persecutions,  in- 


LI1V  OF  JOSEPH  U 

eidentto  his  Dew  sphere  of  duty,  and  endured  hnidnj 
a  <;ood  soldier  of  Jesus  (  hn 

In  the  i  -  be  exchai 

with  .Mr.  Fletcher,  who  was  then  busily  engaged  in  writ- 
ing on  the  ( 'al-  inian  controreisy.     In  one  <>T  those  letters, 
he  had  takes  the  lil>»-rty  of  advising  him  to  am   dbbm 
ciaion  in  stating  the  Scriptural  doctrim 
being  the  •  I  lith.      Mr   I ■']• 

to  this  letter  not  onlj  deep  humility  of  bis 

mind,  and  the  mean  opinion  he  formed  ol"  himscll 

r,  but  th<  •  lea  which  he  entertained  <>i   Mr. 

und<  rst:ui(liriLr.  and  the  profound  deference  he 
paid  to  )us  judgment     M  I  thank  j 

caution  about  works.     I   sent  4  fifty 

ptsjea  upon  V ntinftsnitnism  tff  thi 

upon  in\  handed  knees,  yoa  srould  revisi  and  correct  it, 
and  lake  off  quod  durnu  assMSt(what  sounds  harsh)  in  j>oint 
oftpor&r,  (subject,)  ■  low  ad  my 

light,  which  is  but  thai  of  smoking  flax:  put  fours  lo  mine. 
I    am   charged,   hereabouts,    with    scattering 
arrows,  and  death.     Quench  some  <»i   m\   brands,  blunt 

soiik'  of  SB]    BROWS,    and    lake  off  all    my    deal 

that  winch  I  design  for  Antimwmaniam.  As  1  base  taken 
up  my  pen.  I  srill  clear  myself  in  another  respect  ;  thai  I*-, 
with  regard  to  the  tntinomian  opposition  sands  to  Chris- 
tina perfection.  I  hare  begun  m\  tract,  and  hope  so 
tlu-  truth  in  perfect  consistency  with  Mr.  Wesley'a  system* 
I   oner  begged  you  would  give  me  s  oopj  of  what  you 

«HOSB  upon  it.  Now  is  the  tunc  BO  lap.  at  that  rWJTWast, 
Send  it  inr*  (with  additions,  it'  you  can)  as  SOOO 

bis.     When  1  send  my  manuscripts  to  Louden,  remember, 
it  will  be  chiefly  tor  your  alterations  and  corrections.*1 
The  increase  of  numbers  so  the  >ndoo 

circuit  this  year  was  rery  inconsiderable.     How  l'ar  the 

*  Paper  written  at  Trcvecca. 


42  LIFE  OF  JOSEFH  BENSON". 

piety  of  the  members  was  deepened,  and  their  zeal  for  the 
promotion  of  the  glory  of  God  increased,  we  have  no  means 
of  ascertaining.  The  state  of  religion  in  any  place  must 
not  be  estimated  solely  by  the  enlargement  of  its  borders, 
or  the  inroads  it  makes  on  the  territories  of  the  enemy. 
There  may  be  much  doing  where  little  appears  to  be  done. 
Extensive  preparations  may  be  carrying  forward,  in  a  silent 
and  unobtrusive  manner,  which  will  issue  in  results  of  in- 
calculable importance.  The  earth  doth  not  bring  forth  its 
fruit  in  a  day ;  the  husbandman  waiteth  for  the  precious 
fruit  of  the  earth,  and  hath  long  patience  for  it.  The  seed 
that  he  now  sows  is  to  be  reaped  hereafter  ;  and  frequently 
one  sows  and  another  reaps.  Methodist  ministers,  who 
itinerate  from  place  to  place,  and  who  watch  over  societies 
in  different  circuits,  have  fewer  opportunities  of  seeing  the 
results  of  their  labours,  than  those  who  are  located  and 
have  a  defined  sphere  of  operation.  The  former  may  have 
many  seals  to  their  ministry,  and  souls  converted  through 
their  instrumentality,  with  whom  they  have  no  acquaint- 
ance in  this  world,  and  of  whom  they  will  know  nothing 
until  the  revelation  of  the  righteous  judgment  of  God : 
while  the  latter,  whose  labours  are  more  circumscribed, 
and  who  minister  uniformly  to  the  same  congregations,  can 
form  a  tolerably  accurate  estimate  of  the  full  extent  of  their 
influence,  by  the  accessions  made  to  their  several  churches. 
But  it  should  be  recollected,  that  success  is  not  the  rule 
of  duty,  but  only  its  encouragement.  If  ministers  see  the 
fruit  of  their  labour,  let  them  be  thankful,  and  give  the 
glory  to  Him  to  whom  it  is  due.  But  if  that  pleasure  is 
denied  them,  instead  of  yielding  to  discouragement,  let 
them  comfort  themselves  with  the  prophet,  who  when  it 
was  suggested  to  him  that  he  had  laboured  in  vain,  and 
spent  his  strength  for  naught,  confidently  said,  "  Surely  my 
judgment  is  with  the  Lord,  and  my  work  with  my  God." 
At  the  following  conference,  held  in  Leeds,  Mr.  Ben- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEXS<   \  ■■ 

son,  win)  had  been  hut  one  year  <>n  trial,  as  ■  protw  ti 
for  the  work  o!'  the  ministry,  was  admitted  into  full  connec- 
tion.    This  shows  the  hiLrli  opinion  which  Mr.  Wesley 
entertained  of  his  character  as  s  Christian,  and  his  talents 
as  i  minister. 

II.    eras  at  this  conference  appointed  to  labour  in  the 
Newcastle  circuit.     Here  the  en  reises  of  his  mind 
various,  and  frequently  discouraging,    lie  often  fell  ■  pain- 
Ail  consciousness  of  bis  want  ol  thai  deep  humility, 
rutin-  dedication  of  soul  to  God,  which  the  requisitions  of 
the  gospel  demand,  ami  which  he  km  hi^  privi- 

lege i(»  possess       •■  i  In-.  ••  how  niaiiv  precious  <>|>- 

portunities  have   I    neglected  to  i m j>r«  and 

communicating  good !    Hon  much  more  advanced  in  j 
might  I  have  been,  and  how  many  souls  ate  -'ill  living  m 
sin,  which  might  have  been  converted  by  my  instrumen- 
tality, had  I  been  more  diligent,  and  especially  more  bum- 
ble and  devout '"'      \ml  subsequently  I  I  see  that 

tin-    praise  of  men  is  an  empty  bubble,  and  tin-    honour  of 

God  only  desirable.  Those  thai  honour  him,  he  has  pro- 
mised  to  honour,  [f  honour  be  the  thing  at  which  we 
aim.  the  sure  and  oulj  waj  to  obtain  it  is,  to  honour  I 
On  tin-  first  day  of  the  year  1 7?:<  be  renewed  his  covenant 
with  God;  on  which  occasion  In  says,  uMy  mind 
much  oppressed  with  i  sense  of  my  unprofitableness,  both 
as  a  Christian  and  a  minister  of  the  everlasting  gospel. 
1  have  not  steadily  aimed  at  God's  glory,  nor  been  wholly 
obedient  and  resigned  to  his  will.  Hut  I  have  a  strong 
desire  to  devote  nrj  m  If  entirely  to  his  *  n  .•  i 

Hut  though  be  fell  much  in  himself  of  which  he  bad  to 
complain;  yet  in  the  work  in  which  be  was  engaged  he 
had  much  to  afford  him  eneouragi  menl  and  delight.  lie 
had  contain  employment ;  the  congregations  were  numer- 
ous ;  ami  the  Lord  frequently  favoured  him  with  peculiar 
enlargement  of  heart  while  he  addressed  them;  and  his 


44  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

power  was  often  exerted  in  awakening  sinners,  in  com- 
forting mourners,  and  strengthening  the  faith  of  such  as 
had  believed.  In  all  cases,  relative  to  the  government  of 
the  societies,  or  in  reference  to  any  regulations  which  he 
thought  it  necessary  to  adopt,  Mr.  Benson  was  accustomed 
to  consult  Mr.  Wesley,  and  to  act  according  to  his  direc- 
tion. In  answer  to  one  of  Mr.  Benson's  letters,  Mr.  Wes- 
ley says,  "  It  is  a  shame  for  any  Methodist  preacher  to 
confine  himself  to  one  place.  We  are  debtors  to  all  the 
world.  We  are  called  to  warn  every  one,  to  exhort  every 
one,  if  by  any  means  we  may  save  some. 

"  I  love  prayer  meetings,  and  wish  they  were  set  up  in 
every  corner  of  the  town.  But  I  doubt  whether  it  would 
be  well  to  drop  any  of  the  times  of  preaching.  Three- 
and-thirty  years  they  have  had  at  least  as  much  preaching 
at  Bristol  as  at  Newcastle.  And  the  congregations  are 
far  larger  than  they  were  ten  or  twenty  years  ago.  But  I 
should  not  object  to  the  transferring  Wednesday  night's 
preaching  to  eight  on  Sunday  morning." 

In  the  year  1773  Mr.  Benson  was  removed  to  Scotland, 
and  was  stationed  in  the  Edinburgh  circuit.  But  though 
this  appointment  did  not  meet  with  his  cordial  acquies- 
cence, yet  in  reference  to  it  he  says,  "  By  the  grace  of 
God,  I  will,  for  the  future,  give  up  my  own  will  whenever 
the  will  of  God  seems  to  appoint.  I  may  be  happy  any- 
where with  resignation  ;  but  without  it  I  can  be  happy  no- 
where." Mr.  Wesley's  authority,  in  the  appointment  of 
his  preachers  to  their  several  stations,  was  absolute,  but 
not  capricious.  He  was  intimately  acquainted  with  the 
talents  of  the  preachers,  and  he  knew  the  general  charac- 
ter of  the  congregations  to  whom  they  would  have  to  minis- 
ter. His  decisions  were  therefore  not  the  result  of  an 
arbitrary  and  despotic  will,  but  of  a  sound  and  discriminat- 
ing judgment,  which  employs  the  most  eligible  means  to 
the  accomplishment  of  a  desirable  end.     For  much  of  a 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  45 

minister's  usefulness  must  depend  on  the  adaptation  of  his 
talenta  to  the  sphere  of  labour  to  which  be  may  I >■ 
pointed.      The   Head  of  the  church  rarely  endowa  men 
with  each   a  variety  of  ministerial  gnahnVstioaa, 
render  them  equally  acceptable  and  ooeru]  to  all  classes 
Of    h«-ar«rs.       '  1  1 1  •  -    people    of    ScotlaBsl    art-    [_renerally    a 

well-educated  people,  Eft  aiaV  -  tin-  private  aeuHnarie* 
and  Lrr<  at  public  schools  eetabKaliod  m  their  large  tortra* 
and  eitiee,  every  country  pariah  hai  a  school-master.  rege> 
larly  appointed   in  the   same  wa\  Icrgyraas,  who 

r<-cci\  i  salary,  which  enables  him  10  •■iliu  ate  the 

children  of  the  parishioner!  at  i  rate  easy  and  convenient 
even   to  the   most  indigent   ,  tad  aa  ft  on 

justly  assumed,  that  the  religious  portion  of  the  Seottiah 

population  wen  Itivated  minds,  a  reason  mav 

•  n  lor  Mr.  Benson's  appointment  to  Edinburgh.  II-  •• 
his  Opportunities  tor  mental  nnpro\  einent  u  .  re  abundant. 
He  had  more  leisure  tune  tiian  could  he  allorded  turn  in  an 
English  circuit.     1I«    bad  al  to  the  works  of  the 

ino-:  eminent  theologians,  and  he  was  surrounded  bv  per- 

sous  of  distinguished  leacaiajgand  piety.  Hut  amidst  this 
profusion  of  privileges,  h<   was  so  jealous  o(  himself, 

be    induced    to   Bay,  '•   Mas'    I    i-   ir  I   am    no:    in    m\ 

So  lntle  preaching,  and  so  maeh  study  and  retirement,  are 

verv  pleasing  to  flesh  and  blood,  and  quite  agreeable  to  my 

natural  disposition.      1   lind  1  could    sit  down    here,  ami  be 

very  comfortable,  at  leaal  aa  far  aa  outward  things  could 

make  me  so.  Hut  then,  where  is  the  daily  croaa  W  lure 
is  self-denial  .'  Where  is  obedience  to  the  command,  '  Be 
instant  m  nfjoaon.  and  out  of  I 

In   the    early   part    of  January,   1774,   he    says.  ••  I   have 

spent  nine  weeks  m   Edinburgh,  in  general  much  to  my 

satisfaction,  and  1  hope  to  the  profit  ol  others.      The  Lord 

frequently  opened  my  mouth,  and  enabled  mo  to  - 
plainly  and  convincingly,  concerning  the  fundamental  truths 


46  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  the  gospel.  The  power  of  God  often  attended  his  word, 
especially  on  Sunday  evenings,  when  our  congregations 
were  large.  I  have  reason  to  think  some  were  awakened, 
some  justified,  and  others  built  up  in  their  most  holy  faith. 
And  yet,  upon  reflection,  I  am  quite  ashamed  of  myself 
and  labours.  I  see  I  might  have  been  more  devoted  to 
God  myself,  and  far  more  useful  to  others." 

November  1st,  he  writes  :  "  This  day,  as  well  as  yes- 
terday, I  was  fully  employed  in  reading,  writing,  visiting 
the  sick,  and  the  public  exercises  of  religion.  I  was  kept 
all  the  day  in  sweet  peace  of  mind ;  but  I  had  not  much 
joy,  nor  did  I  find  such  nearness  to  God  as  I  did  some 
days  past.  However,  it  is  still  my  resolution  to  make  his 
will  my  rule,  and  his  favour  my  portion  ;  and  I  doubt  not 
he  will  give  me  all  the  comfort  he  sees  necessary." 

During  Mr.  Benson's  residence  in  the  northern  metro- 
polis, he  was  favoured  with  an  opportunity  of  forming  an 
acquaintance,  and  maintaining  a  correspondence,  with  that 
eminently  pious  and  devout  female,  Lady  Maxwell  ;  and 
the  following  are  extracts  from  two  letters  which  he  had 
the  privilege  of  receiving  from  her  : — 

"  February  \0th,  1774. 
"  Rev.  Sir, — I  am  glad  to  see  by  your  letter  that  you 
are  still  on  stretch  for  God.  Permit  me  to  say,  do  not 
give  up,  on  any  account,  a  constant  and  lively  expectation 
of  every  blessing  Christ  has  purchased  for  you.  A  want 
of  this  expectation  often,  as  it  were,  cuts  the  sinews  of 
our  endeavours,  and  then  we  sink  into  a  supineness  of 
spirit,  which  neither  brings  glory  to  God,  nor  comfort  to 
our  own  souls.  What  greater  encouragement  to  press  on 
through  every  difficulty  can  we  have,  than  the  promises  of 
a  faithful  God  ?  Those  promises  are  more  stable  than  the 
pillars  of  heaven,  or  the  laws  of  nature  :  the  former  may 
be  shaken,  the  latter  reversed ;  but  to  persevering  faith  it 
is   impossible   that   any  promise  which   God  hath  made 


UYE  Off  JOSEPH  BENSON.  17 

should  fail  of  its  accomplishment.  ( >ught  not  a  considera- 
tion of  this  to  lire  our  souls  with  a  holy  ambition  of  irain- 
niLr  lU  that  conformity  to  tin-  divine  will  which  humanity 
will  permit  I     What  a  <  1 1 » 1 1 1 1  li u  1  - 1 1 ♦  - <  1  privilege  i*  it.  to  have 

the  whole  image  oi  God  ■tamped  npon  lbs  mmI]     1  or  the 
leion  of  tins  pn  wei,  what  pirn  tun  can  be  too 

groat  to  forego  '  a  hat  meeting  loo  ki ••  a  to  •  ndun-  '  Sorely, 
did  we  form  e  just  estimate  oJ  things,  and  weigh  all  in  the 
balance  of  God,  ire  should   eee  this  aa  the  only  i 
worthy  of  i  steem,  and  continually  poraoe  it  with  the  whole 
ardour  of  our  aoul.    But,  alas!  how  often  are  we  in  d 
of  growing  remiaa  therein '  of  baring  ow  attention  oailaal 

off,  at  hast   lor  a  time,  by  trifles,  M   fancnd 

good!     Against  this  great,  but  too  common  evil,  we  must 

continually  watch,  if  we  wish   to  •  Id  I    in 

the  a  a\  i  (it  <  Sod,  oi  make  ■  progreee  in  bolim 

"  1  will  not  say  n  is  a  tmafortims  to  bare  fine  fe<  I 
hut  undoubtedly  they  ■objecl  the  |  in  man;  | 

lul  aenaationa  they  would  otherwj  e  Dram.     Such 

must  have  their  delicacy  dads  and  houriy  shocked  by  all 
around  them,     15m  tin^  ii  i  crosi  which  tiny  must  take 

Up,  and  firmly  sustain   for  Christ's  take,  if  they  would  he 

entirely  devoted  to  <  tad,  and  extensively  asefuL     Tin 

a   remedv  which    some,    who    are    unhappily    cast    in    this 

mould,  have  found  beneficial ;  via*,  drawing  hack  from  the 
creature,  and  sinking  into  God  ;  La  other  words,  ■  being 

disunited  in  heart  and  life  from  created  tin  I 

■•  Bomember,  the  greatest  paoof  you  can  give  of  your 
own  strength    is,   bearing    with   the    weak,  'hers. 

Allow  me  to  say.  uhat«\.  [  we  li  _r  propensity  to 

by  nature,  we  are  in  danger  of  azceeding  in.  if  your 
great  love  for  retirement,  and  intense  application  to  study, 
interrupt  in  any  degree  youi   cominuuion   with   God,  your 

constant  looking  to  and  depending  on  Jeans,  or  one  labour 

of  love,   you  are   a  loser  both  for  time  and  eternity.     1 


48  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

believe  we  are  safest,  when  at  that  work,  in  those  places, 
and  with  those  persons  least  pleasing  to  nature. 

"  I  dare  not  say,  that  I  possess  all  I  wish  for,  and  aim 
at,  in  the  divine  life  ;  but,  through  abounding  mercy,  I 
maintain  a  constant  sense  of  my  union  with  Christ ;  enjoy 
a  degree  of  communion  with  the  Father  of  mercies ;  and 
my  heart  more  and  more  burns  with  desire  to  glorify  him 
in  every  possible  way,  but  especially  in  the  way  of  doing- 
good  to  the  bodies  and  souls  of  my  fellow-creatures.  I 
have,  however,  much  cause  to  be  ashamed  before  God, 
that  I  have  proceeded  no  further  in  holiness.  I  am,  Rev. 
sir,  your  friend  in  Christ,  D.  Maxwell." 

It  appears  from  the  following  letter,  that  Mr.  Benson 
had  not  heard  from  Lady  Maxwell  as  often  as  he  expected, 
and  that  he  had  mentioned  this  to  her  ladyship.  In  her 
reply,  she  says, — 

"  Rev.  Sir, — Unless  you  practically  obey  the  gospel 
precept  of  judging,  not  by  appearance,  but  right  judgment, 
you  will  no  doubt  conclude  that  I  have  neglected  your  last 
letter,  by  being  so  long  without  answering  it ;  but  that  is 
not  the  case.  The  matter-of-fact  is,  I  am  shy  of  corres- 
ponding with  any  one,  and  should  be  more  so  with  those 
who  put  any  value  upon  my  letters.  Human  nature  is  so 
prone  to  self-approbation,  that  it  is  necessary  to  shun  every 
occasion  of  increasing  it,  if  we  would  be  wholly  devoted 
to  God.  Yet  I  could  not  think  of  being  silent,  lest  you 
should  mistake  my  motive.  Nothing  would  prevail  with 
me  to  wTite  to  any  one,  but  an  ardent  desire,  that  less  or 
more  continually  burns  in  my  soul,  to  glorify  God ;  to- 
gether with  a  deep  and  permanent  conviction  that  he  can, 
and  often  does,  give  success  to  the  most  unlikely  means 
for  producing  that  end. 

"  You  have  great  cause  to  be  thankful  to  the  Father  of 
mercies,  who  has  given  you  a  child-like  spirit,  and  made 


UFE  OF  Ju.SFIMI   !  I  \SO.N  49 

you  willing  to  leara  from  all.     Whatev*  •  if  wisdom 

any  person  i,  they  aarely  make  i  bad  use  of  it,  if 

they  cenaot  be  taught  be  any  one.  What 
innate  !>•  auty  il  in  humility  !  What  |  heaven  dm a  it  pro- 
dacc  in  the  brc  liappy  posses>or '     \nd  man,  sunk 

as  be  la  in  original  depravity,  mast  sad  does  appi 
•van  be  find*  be  oeith*  r  ban  it  suaaelf,  not  can  bail 
1  Learn  of  me,'  saj  fat  I  son  naasa  and  lowly  in 

heart,  aad  ye  shall  find  rest  unte  your  aoals.'  (>  basr 
little  do  the  greater  nnaahat  of  na  know  of  ana  divias  sss> 
par!  or  of  coufotaaty  to  oar  hviag  Hcedia  reaeral!  What 
aaare  dwerfa  are  we  in  the  ways  of  Go<l,  swimming  ii|»n 
the  rarface  of  religion,  when  n  is  oar  privilege  to  rink  into 
all  the  depths  of  hurable  Love,  and  n^  uato  all  the  lii 
God,  all  the  heighta  of  Chriatiaa  ronaVksifw  '  <>  that  He 
wh<>  dwella  on  bigfa  woald  bentim  us  all  afraah  with  the 
Holy  Ghost,  ;is  with  fire!  Then  aarary  ws  ahoald 
aad  siinki  ouraelvea  froao  the  dost,  sad  give  no  real  to  our 

nor  Blomher  i<»  our  eyelids,   till   assessed  oi  . 
blessing  Christ  has  purchased  for  us.      Lei  us,  Jaeob-like, 
wreetle  arith  the  Lord  iafaithfaJ  prayer,  aad  we  riaaU 
enjoy  all  the  sweets  oi  entire  devotion,  as  far  as  humanity 
will  permit.     An  excelleai  help  to  asasabaeea  in  tin- 
nous  pursuit  is,  the  being  abstracted  in  ln-art  and  life  Gram 
the   things  of  tunc  and   Bonae.     W  ithoal    this,  we  shall 
often  grow   weary,  and.  of  consequence,    remiss  in  duty, 
and  then  start  aside,  allured  by  the  pleasing  bait  of  some 
fancied   good,  till  a  kind   Prosideace  Bashes  as  Gael  the 
prickle  in  plucking  the  rose  ;  and  than  we  find  our  mistake, 
and  ooene  hack  to  Hun  who  giveth  Liberally,  aad  upbraid- 
eth  none,  either  with  past  naaaithfulneaa  or  preaeal  unfit- 
ness,    o  the  depth  of  divine  love  ' 

"  I  am  glad  the  work  is  prospering  in  Greenock.  I 
wish  you  more  and  more  success.  1  am,  Rev.  sir,  your 
obliged  humble  servant,  D.  Maxwell." 

3 


50  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

From  Mr.  Wesley,  Mr.  Benson  continued  to  receive 
directions  concerning  his  work.  The  following  observa- 
tions are  extracted  from  Mr.  Wesley's  letters,  written  to 
him  about  this  time  : — "  God  has  made  practical  divinity 
necessary,  and  the  devil  controversial.  Sometimes  we 
must  write  and  preach  controversially  ;  but  the  less  the 
better.  I  think  we  have  few,  if  any,  of  our  travelling 
preachers  that  love  controversy.  But  there  will  always  be 
men  ovg  dec  e~ioto\liZ,eiv* — Antinomians  and  Calvinists  in 
particular.  By  our  long  silence,  we  have  done  much 
hurt,  both  to  them  and  the  cause  of  God." — "  The  more 
you  preach  abroad,  both  in  England  and  Scotland,  the 
better.  Only  take  care,  not  to  do  more  than  you  can  do ; 
not  to  go  beyond  your  strength.  And  keep  to  the  plain, 
old  Methodist  doctrine,  laid  down  in  the  Minutes  of  con- 
ference. At  Trevecca  you  were  a  little  warped  from  this  : 
but  it  was  a  right-hand  error.  You  will  be  buried  in 
Scotland,  if  you  sell  your  mare  and  sit  still.  Keep  her, 
and  ride  continually.  Contrive  (you  and  Mr.  Thompson) 
how  this  may  be.  Sit  not  still,  at  the  peril  of  your  soul 
and  body  !  Do  all  you  can  for  poor  Scotland  ;  and  write 
how  things  are  there." — "  I  wish  every  one  of  our  preach- 
ers who  goes  to  Scotland  were  of  the  same  mind  with  you. 
#  *  *  I  say  still,  we  will  have  travelling  preachers  in  Scot- 
land, or  none.  The  thing  is  fixed :  the  manner  of  effect- 
ing it  is  to  be  considered.  Now  set  your  wit  to  this. 
How  shall  this  matter  be  accomplished?  You  did  not 
well  in  selling  your  horse,  and  thereby  laying  another  bar  in 
the  way.  Though  I  am  (by  the  exquisite  negligence  of  my 
late  book-keeper)  a  thousand  pounds  worse  than  nothing,  I 
would  have  spared  a  few  pounds  to  have  eased  that  burden. 
However,  you  must  do  as  you  can.  Our  preachers  shall 
either  tavel  there  as  in  England,  or  else  stay  in  England. 
Many  persons  are  in  danger  of  reading  too  little  :  you  are 
*  Whose  mouth  it  is  necessary  to  stop. 


LOT  Off  JOMBPH  BENSON  ~l] 

in  danger  of  reading  too  much.     Wherevei  you  are,  take 
up  your  cross,  and  visit  all  die  society  from  hove  to  1. 
Do  this  sccordisg  to  Mr.  Baxb  ft  plan,  bid  down  in  the 
Minutes  of  the  conference  :   the   fruit  which  will  ensue 

(perhaps    in    ■    •hofl    time)   will   abundantly   reward    your 
labour.      Fruit,  also,  ire  shall  have,  even  in  those  who  have 

no  outward  connectioa  with  os." 

The  second  y<  ar  of  Mr.  Benson's  continuance  in  v 

land,  be   was  tppointed  the  assistanl  of  the  Edinburgh 

circuit.      This  appointment   \sas  an   additional   «  • 
of  the  confidence  which  Mr.  W  1  in  him.  i 

eiallv    when    it    is   recollected    that    one  of  his  help.  . 

was  senior  to  himself  in  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
A  few  extracts  from  his  journal  trill  be  sufficu 
scribe  the  rarioti  f  his  mind,  and  the  unquei 

able   seal  with  which  he  pursued  his  arduous  labours 
doling  this  year.     January  1st,  it:  "Upon  a 

review  of  m\  temper  and  conduct  the  past  year,  I  fi 
bare  much  cause  to  be  humble  before  <  I  ml  <»f 

-mall    progress    I     have   made    in   grace,   and    in   the 

knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
little  use  1  have  been  of  in  the  world.     Consideris 
advantages  I  have  enjoyed,  how  orach  holier  might  I  have 
been !     And  considering  the  opportunities  with  which  I 
been  favoured,  how  much  m  might  I  have 

done!      In    my   public   exercises,    1  have   not   always    had 

that  dependence  upon  God  for  success,  nor  t;. 

desire  for  bis  glory,  which  1  ought  to  have  had.     What 

wonder  then  thai  I  ha\e  done  SO  little  good  '  While  I 
praise  the  Lord  for  sparing  me  another  year,  1  I 
upon  his  m<  rcy,  through  Christ,  for  the  pardon  <>f  what  is 
past,  and,  trusting  that  lie  accepts  of  me,  notwithstanding 
my  great  unworthiness.  l  dedicate  myself  afresh  to  bins, 
desiring  to  live  more  to  his  glory,  both  inwardly  and  out- 


SI  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

wardly,  than  I  have  ever  done.  O  Lord,  accomplish  my 
desire  !" 

June  24th,  he  writes :  "  I  think,  if  ever  I  was  led  to 
pray  for  grace  to  deny  myself,  take  up  my  cross,  renounce 
my  own  ease,  pleasure,  and  all  the  world,  it  was  this 
morning.  O  how  sweet  it  seemed  to  have  fellowship  with 
Jesus  in  his  sufferings,  and  to  be  made  conformable  to  his 
death!  June  25th.  This  morning  I  found  myself  very 
weak  in  body,  and  apparently  unable  for  the  work  of  the 
day,  having  to  preach  four  times  :  but  glory  be  to  God,  he 
has  graciously  assisted  me  both  in  body  and  mind,  and  I 
have  manifestly  felt  the  truth  of  his  promise,  '  As  thy  day, 
so  shall  thy  strength  be.'  O  how  often  have  I  experienced 
of  late  the  faithfulness  of  his  word!  For  eight  or  ten 
weeks,  I  have  generally  preached  four  times  on  each 
Lord's  day,  and  twice  of  those  times  to  very  large  congre- 
gations, in  the  open  air ;  and  yet  I  have  found  such 
vigour  and  strength  of  body,  that  it  seemed  to  me  I  was  as 
fit  to  preach,  if  not  more  so,  after  the  labours  of  the  day,  as 
in  the  morning.  O  what  cause  have  I  'to  trust  in  the 
Lord,  and  not  to  be  weary  in  well  doing !'  " 

From  the  above  quotations,  it  will  be  seen  that  Mr. 
Benson  did  not  eat  the  bread  of  idleness  during  his  con- 
tinuance in  Scotland.  He  was  in  labours  more  abundant ; 
for  though  his  work  as  an  itinerant  was  more  circum- 
scribed, and  less  laborious,  than  it  would  have  been  in  an 
English  circuit,  though  he  had  not  as  many  miles  to  travel, 
yet  having  many  sermons  to  preach  to  the  same  people, 
and  much  to  do  in  pastoral  visitation,  his  time  was  fully 
and  laudably  occupied  ;  and  all  the  mental  and  intellectual 
powers  that  he  could  command  were  called  into  action. 
For  those  who  were  acquainted  with  Mr.  Benson's  cha- 
racter, need  not  be  told  that  he  was  not  like  those  of  old, 
who  brought  the  blind  and  the  lame  for  sacrifice,  or  who 
offered  unto  God  that  which  cost  them  nothing.     His  soul 


LIKJ  :  PH  BEN8  N  53 

was    so    fully    in    his   work,   and  his  best   affections  and 

•  '1  attention  so  entire  ly  absor] 
ly,  no  llbotll  ' 
in    furthering   its  inl  is    in 

preparing  for  the  pulpit ;  his 

cloa  1  :.   and   admirably  »  promote  the 

present  and  i  r<  rlasting  welfare  of  the  |  targe. 

lint  knowing,  u  he  did,  thai  all  human  «  ffi 
unavailing,   unaccompanied   by   the   divine   blessing 
placed  hia  dep 

oners  thai 
from  sin,  through  his  instrumentality,  afforded  the 

incontrovertible  not  in 

rain  in  the  Lord. 
The    fbllowin 
Edinburgh  to  Newcastle.     II<  bad  gone  to  Scotland  with 
reluctance,  but  now  he  •  luctanl  t«>  leave  it     He 

had  derived  s«>  many  advantages  by  I  nee  there, 

thai  in  after-life,  when  any  of  the  young  men 
encea  objected  to  _  (land,  be  was  accustomed  to 

recomflaend  il  aa  the  moat  We  sphere  ol 

mental  improvement,  within  the  whole  range  of  oox 
section.     The  record  in  bis  journal  on  leaving  Edinburgh 
1--.  ••  My  heart  ia  so  united  to  this  people,  that  I  find  it 
very  hard  to  leave  this  place.     I  o  -  aatoagamors 

loving  and  kind  people  man  those  in  a  j  in  Edin- 

burgh.    Many  a  happy  and  edifying  hour  have  I  spent 
enaong  them.     Many  a  tune  lias  my  soul  been  blessed  ia 

answer  to  their  prayerx  ami  in  DM  h  them  both  in 

public  and  in  private.    May  the  I  ,<»rd  eontinue  to  favour  them 
with  his  presence,  and  reward  them  tor  all  their  kn, 
to  me."' 

Early  in  the  month  of  angUSt,  17?."),  he  repaired  to 
Newcastle,  and  nut  with  ■  cordial  and  an  affectionate 
reception  from  his  old  friends,  among  whom  he  had  pre- 


54  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

viously  laboured  with  so  much  acceptance  and  success. 
That  love  of  novelty  so  common  to  our  nature,  which  the 
system  of  itinerancy  is  peculiarly  calculated  to  foster, 
leading  many  of  our  people  lightly  to  esteem  the  labours 
of  those  with  whom  they  are  intimately  acquainted,  and  to 
attach  an  undue  degree  of  importance  to  a  change  of  min- 
isters, obtained  no  influence  in  the  minds  of  the  Newcastle 
Methodists.  They  knew  how  to  appreciate  Mr.  Benson's 
real  excellence  ;  his  former  services  were  fresh  in  their 
recollection ;  and  though  he  had  been  absent  from  them 
but  two  years,  they  received  him  as  an  angel  of  God.  He 
had  not  been  in  the  circuit  many  days,  before  he  was 
called  upon,  in  the  course  of  his  ministerial  duty,  to  pay 
the  last  sad  tribute  of  affection  to  one  who  had  departed  in 
the  Lord.  In  the  funeral  sermon  which  he  preached  on 
the  occasion,  he  was  peculiarly  assisted  by  the  unction 
from  the  Holy  One.  The  divine  power  so  accompanied 
the  word,  that,  to  adopt  his  own  language,  "the  whole 
congregation  seemed  to  melt  before  the  Lord." 

In  the  month  of  November,  he  received  another  letter 
from  Lady  Maxwell,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : — 

"  Rev.  Sir, — I  received  your  obliging  letter  some 
months  ago :  a  multiplicity  of  occurrences  has  prevented 
my  answering  it  sooner,  together  with  an  almost  uncon- 
querable reluctance  to  writing.  I  hope  the  work  of  the 
Lord  prospers  in  your  hands,  and  that  your  own  soul  is 
more  than  ever  alive  to  God,  and  that  you  enjoy  all  in  him, 
and  him  in  all.  Nothing  short  of  this  can  make  us  truly 
happy.  I  believe  you  are  not  only  convinced  of  this,  but 
enabled,  in  a  good  measure,  to  contend  for  the  valuable 
prize.  It  requires  much  holy  fortitude  to  fight  continually, 
not  only  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  with  principalities  and 
powers ;  and  this  the  soul  must  do,  that  would  inherit  all 
things.     What  the  world  calls  happiness,  is  a  mere  delu- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN-  OJ 

sion  ;  and  any  f  it  which  a  Christian  seeks,  exclu- 

01  later  prove  bitterness  :  I  mean, 
if  the  L'lnry  of  God   il  not  die  ultimate  end  he  aims  at  in 
his  pursuit.      In   fact,  nothing  merits   the   name  of  happi- 
ut  communion  with  the  Father  and  the  Son  through 
nVe  eternal  Spirit.     Thi 

for  this  would   he  a  cheap   purchase.      What  wisdom  then 

.!  1  retard  our  STOgf 
liolni'         -      iv  throng] 
may  rise  superior  to  the  allur- 

refined  pleasure  ol  a  •.  only  ikon  is  enough  in 

apy  the  greatest  genius,  to  employ  the  brightest 
I,  and  the   most  improved   understanding       (»   that  all 
who  are  lavoun d  \\i:h    -  hi   the 

experiment  !      That   you   DM]  ..iak<-    the    best 

choice,  and  be  steady  in  panning  it,  is  the 

'•  Rev.  sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

-  1).  Maxwi.ll." 

January  1st.  177G,  Mr.  Benson,  according  to  his  cuv 
toin,  renewed  his  com  uant  \Mlli  God  ;  on  which  occasion 
he  made  the  following  remarks:  —  "1  Me  more  clearly 
than  ever,  that  a  life  ol  activity  lor  God,  of  diligl 

denial,   and  watch;,.  .  astiv    preferable  to  a  i.: 

contemplation  ami  enjoyment.  It  appeared  to  me  a  mat- 
ter ol  small  moment,  whether  I  wis  favoured  with  much 
or  little  consolation,  if  I  was  !>ut  entirely  ssvoted  to  I 

sen  ice."  February  20th.  he  writes: — "  Praise  the  Lord, 
O  iny  soul  ;  and  all  that  is  within  me,  praise  his  holy 
name  I  (  I  how  gracious  has  lie  been  to  me  this  day  !  He 
has  strengthened  me  both  in  body  and  mind.  I 
my  expectation.  Yesterday  I  laid  myself  under  an  obli- 
gation to  preach  four  times  this  day,  merely  out  of  a  de- 
sire to  do  good  ;  but  at  night,  finding  myself  much  indis- 
posed, and  fearing  1  should  get  no  rest,  my  heart  was  like 


56  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  faint.  However,  I  found  power  to  cast  my  care  upon 
the  Lord,  and  he  was  pleased  to  give  me  refreshing  sleep, 
and  fit  me  for  the  duties  of  the  day.  I  preached  every 
time  with  much  liberty,  but  especially  in  the  evening  at 
Newcastle,  when  I  had  the  least  confidence  in  myself,  be- 
ing quite  exhausted  in  both  body  and'  mind,  and  to  all 
human  appearance  utterly  unable  to  preach.  But  the  Lord 
gave  me  to  renew  my  strength  both  of  body  and  mind  be- 
fore I  had  well  begun  to  speak.    To  him  be  all  the  glory." 

But  while  Mr.  Benson  was  diligent  in  his  ministerial 
and  pastoral  duties,  he  was  also  careful  to  retain  the  know- 
ledge that  he  possessed  of  the  learned  languages  :  for  this 
purpose,  he  occasionally  perused  the  works  of  Latin  and 
Greek  authors.  "  I  have  just  finished,"  says  he,  on  one 
occasion,  "  Homer's  Odyssey.  It  is  an  ingenious  poem, 
and  in  many  places  very  entertaining,  and  even  instruc- 
tive ;  but  I  do  not  think  it  equal  to  the  Iliad.  But,  alas ! 
what  are  these  boasted  remains  of  antiquity  to  the  sacred 
relics  of  Moses  and  the  prophets,  of  Christ  and  his  apos- 
tles !  I  prefer  the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  or  even  his  short 
Epistles,  to  all  the  learning  of  Greece  or  Rome." 

November  10th,  he  says  :  "  Last  night  I  got  little  or  no 
sleep ;  and  that,  I  believe,  because  I  desired  it  inordi- 
nately, knowing  that  I  had  a  hard  day's  work  before  me. 
But,  blessed  be  God !  though  I  was  very  poorly  in  the 
morning,  and  apparently  very  unfit  for  the  labours  of  the 
day,  yet  has  the  Lord  perfected  strength  in  my  weakness, 
and  enabled  me  to  preach  three  times  with  great  enlarge- 
ment of  heart,  and  energy  of  expression.  O  that  I  could 
trust  in  him  for  ever !"  Mr.  Benson's  experience  in  this 
respect  was  not  peculiar  to  himself.  The  deep  solicitude 
which  many  ministers  of  the  gospel  feel,  in  reference  to 
the  discharge  of  the  onerous  duties  of  their  high  and  holy 
vocation,  is  known  only  to  themselves  and  their  God. 
Such  has  been  the  perturbed  state  of  their  minds,  and  their 


LIFE  09  JO0EFH  BJBC8QN  &l 

anxious  forebodings,  in  the  contemplation  of  the  work  that 

lay  before  them,  ;is  to  banish   stoop  from  their  eyes,  ami. 
with  the  patriarch  of  old.  they  DSfS  boon  "full  0 
to  and   fro   unio  the  dawning  of  thfl  day."'      But    such    has 
})••<  ii   the  unexpected  sad   extraordinary  in    which 

the  j ni i 1 1 i t « •  Spirit  bss  deigned  to  rowohsjeis  to  them  in 
hours  of  trial,  that  they  haw  been  induced  mdiwdually 
to  say, 

"  ]}<  ttei  than  my  boding  fears, 

■  '■"' 
.Nor  M  the  anxiety  of  mind  to  which  mi  object 

restricted    exclusively  to  the    .  the    |>lllj)lt.       lu 

preserving  the    purity  of  the  church,  and  the  maintenance 

of  ecclesiastical  discipline,  they  often  find  themsi 

with    ditliculties.        Weir    all    the    memhers    of   Christian 

chnrches  thoroughly  instructed  m  the  duties  oft  hristi 
and  led  m  all  lowliness  of  mind  to  walk  ss  t IhiisJ  also  walk- 
ed, the  most  painful  acta  of  pastoral  discipline  would  i 
to  exist     1  is*  -  would  seldom  occur  t<»  require  tin 
of  the  church.     Hut  alas'  there  are  unworthy  iueuib< 
almost  all  ( Jhri  Persons  « •  .  igno- 

rant, as  not  to  know  their  duty  ;   or  BO  careless, 

led  to  do  n  ;  <»r  s«»  officious,  as  to  interfere  with  the  duties 

of  others  ;    of  so   i nsuhord inat e ,  SS  to  riolate  the    ruh  -    <■! 
the   society  to  which   they  are  united.      Ami  with  persons 
of  the   latter  description.  Mr.  BonaOB 
lioyed.        It    is    well    knOWn,  thai   the    rules  of  the    Met 
society  prohibit  "the  buying  or  selling  uncustomed  l'1 
And    by  certain    members,  in  one  oft]  a    the 

Newcastle   circuit,    these    rules    were    totally   disregarded. 

This  could  not  escape  Mr.  Benson's  knowledge,  nor  dis- 

approhation.  "  Last  ni<,dit."  says  he,  "  1  met  with  a  severe 
trial  indeed.  For  this  half  year  past  I  have  lahoiired  witli 
all  my  might  to  suppress  sniu<_rijliu<„'  in  our  society  here, 
as  a  practice  which,  1  am  sure,  is  not  only  contrary  to  the 

3# 


58  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

word  of  God,  and  our  rules,  but  even  to  heathen  honesty. 
I  have  often  spoken  against  it  in  the  society,  and  some- 
times in  the  congregation ;  and  now,  at  the  desire  of  Mr. 
Wesley,  I  am  examining  the  people  particularly  upon  that 
subject,  in  visiting  the  several  classes.  On  Wednesday 
evening  I  met  with  little  or  no  opposition ;  most  of  those 
I  spoke  to  being  quite  clear  of  blame,  or  resolving  to  leave 
off  the  practice  in  question.  But  last  night,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  town,  I  found  the  case  quite  different,  several 

opposing  me  with  all  their  might,  and  especially  Mr. , 

from  whom  I  expected  better  things.  My  mind  was  so 
burdened  with  grief  and  care,  that  I  could  sleep  little  till 
after  three  o'clock  in  the  morning ;  and  all  the  past  day, 
till  about  four  in  the  afternoon,  I  was  greatly  oppressed. 
I  was  not  conscious  of  having  done  any  thing  blame-wor- 
thy, or  of  having  proceeded  further  than  was  my  absolute 
duty ;  but  I  was  distressed  to  think,  that  the  society  was 
likely  to  be  torn  asunder,  and  afraid  lest  I  should  be  forced 
to  exclude  some  of  the  principal  members.  I  endeavour- 
ed to  cast  my  care  upon  God,  and  went  to  church,  it  being 
Good-Friday,  to  receive  the  sacrament.  I  felt  much  broken- 
ness  of  heart,  a  strong  desire  to  devote  myself  wholly  to 
God,  and  a  measure  of  resignation  to  his  will,  and  some 
peace,  in  a  confidence  of  his  favour,  and  the  testimony  of 
a  good  conscience.  In  the  afternoon,  on  opening  my  mind 
to  a  friend,  I  was  much  comforted,  and  completely  deliver- 
ed from  anxiety." 

But  though  Mr.  Benson's  mind  had  been  thus  painfully 
exercised,  by  the  prospect  that  he  should  be  reduced  to 
the  necessity  of  excluding  from  the  society  several  refrac- 
tory members,  yet,  in  the  issue,  he  had  the  pleasure  of 
rinding  that  all  his  apprehensions  were  groundless,  and 
that  the  event  so  painfully  anticipated  was  never  realized. 
Hence  with  devout  gratitude  he  observes :  "  Blessed  be 
God,  he  has  been  better  to  me  than  my  fears.     Things 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  ■ 

here  have  ended  greatly  to  my  satisfaction.  Yesterday  I 
spoke  closely  to  the  society  on  the  north  side,  and  after- 
ward referred  it  to  them,  whether  they  would  gift  up 
smuggling,  or  leave  our  connection  ;  and  ■only  the  whole 
of  them  came  to  me  for  their  tickets,  with  much  broken- 
"I  heart,  and  ibOJM  00  account  of  their  opposition  to 

what  is.  certainly,  fot  their  owi  i  Bow  forci- 

bly does  this  circumstance  instruct  mini 
sity  and  propriety  of  pursuing,  with  undeyiaiing  step,  the 
path  of  dutj  licy,  to  \. 

inanv  are   tempted  cowardly  to   resort,  m  a 
the   croee;   hut   though   this   y  may   atVord 

MM    trni,  :ilication.  wilful   m 

known  dut\    .tn   scarcely    f.i:. 

terest  rellectioi)  ol 'mind,  and  the   BMMt  painful  remOfl 
iciin:.       .Mr.   Benson,   though   a   young   man,    1 
courage  had  never  previously  •><  <  0  pu(  I  test, 

Babied  to  maintain  a  ith  unflinching  integrity  the  rules 

of  the    connection  :    and    thus    put  a    Stop  to  tie 
practice  of  smuggling   in  tin  Mr.  W< 

to    him    on    thi  ion    i^    veil    worthy  attention. 

"  ^  mi  ha\«-  now."  sayi  be,  "a  providential  call  to  stand  in 

the  gaj)  between  the  Living  and  the  d<   I  .:    nothing  : 

beam  in  the  name  i^i  God,  and  l'<>  through  with  the  work. 
If  only  six  will  promise  yon  to  sin  no  more.  LeSTS  only  six 
in  the  society.      But   my  belief  18,  a  hundred  and  til: 
now   (dear  of  blame  ;   and   if  vim,  ,  ly,  a    hundred 

more  will   amend.      You  must,  at    all    i  ar  up  this 

evil  by  the  roots.  '  The  \\  ord  to  a  Smuggler1  should  he 
read  and  dispersed.  And  secure  your  fellow-labourers, 
that  you  may  all  speak  tin-  same  thin.  D  ;   for  God 

is  with  you."  And  in  a  subsequent  letter,  he  says:  "  If 
any  leader  oppose,  yon  see  your  remedy  :  put  another  in 
his  place.  Nay.  it  he  does  not  join  heart  and  hand  ;  for  he 
that  gathereth  not  with  you,  scattereth.     The  total  sup- 


60  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

pression  of  that  vile  practice  will,  doubtless,  be  a  difficult 
task  :  but  it  is  worth  all  the  labour  ;  yea,  though  you  should 
be  obliged  to  cut  off  some  of  our  oldest  members.  For 
you  must  absolutely  go  through  with  your  work ;  leave 
neither  root  nor  branch ;  else  the  reformation  will  be  but 
for  a  season,  and  then  the  evil  will  sprout  up  again." 

Mr.  Benson  remained  two  years  in  the  Newcastle  cir- 
cuit ;  and  toward  the  close  of  the  second  year,  he  paid  a 
visit,  for  a  few  days,  to  his  old  and  much-loved  friends  at 
Edinburgh.  Here  he  was  most  cordially  and  affection- 
ately received  ;  and  heard  with  devout  attention,  by  large 
congregations  of  spiritually-minded  people.  But  "  while 
surrounded  by  numerous  friends,  the  very  sight  of  whom 
inspired  him  with  pleasure,"  he  felt  unusually  depressed 
in  spirit.  "  How  wisely,"  says  he,  "  the  Lord  mixes  bit- 
ters with  our  sweets,  and  amidst  our  prosperity  and  suc- 
cess sends  us  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  a  messenger  of  Satan 
to  buffet  us,  lest  we  be  exalted  above  measure !  I  have 
been  received  here  with  so  much  kindness  and  joy  among 
my  friends,  and  have  had  such  liberty  in  preaching,  and 
such  large  congregations  to  preach  to,  that  I  should  pro- 
bably have  begun  to  think  well  of  myself,  had  not  the 
Lord  visited  me  with  ill  health,  and  low  spirits,  arising 
from  want  of  rest ;  a  way  which  he  often  takes  to  humble 
and  prove  me.     Lord,  teach  me  resignation !" 

June  23d,  he  says  :  "  Last  night,  and  this  morning,  I  took 
my  leave  of  a  weeping  congregation  at  Newcastle,  com- 
posed of  persons  whom  I  affectionately  love,  and  among 
whom  I  have  laboured  much  to  my  satisfaction.  To  part 
was  like  tearing  one's  body  asunder.  Few  could  sing  or 
look  up  for  weeping ;  and  I,  who  rarely  shed  tears,  wept 
so  as  to  be  unable  to  speak.  0  Lord,  do  thou  reward  this 
people  for  their  kindness  to  me !" 

This  year  Mr.  Benson  attended  the  conference,  which 
was  held  in  Bristol,  and  which  continued  four  days  only. 


Lin:  QV  JOSEPH  RBNf  61 

A  report  bad  been  widely  and  industriously  circulated,  that 
the  Methodists  were  ■  I  «ple ;  and  thongs  ifl 

evident  from  the  numerical  n  •  re  then  d 

that  they  increaaed  in  number,  yel  it  •  thai  they 

decreased  in  Lrra<e.      Thil  mbject  waa  fully  in\- 
and  the  conclnaion  i«»  which  tin-  preechera,  with  one  ■  \- 
enption  only,  ananimoualy  came,  araa  that  tin-  n 
no  foundation  in  truth;  hut  that  n  was  ;i  nlinrioaona 
nation,   fabricated   by   the  eaemiet  <>i    Mcithodinm      Mr. 
Fletcher  attended  thui  conference;  of  whom  Mr.  W 
said,   that  he  "waa  reotored  t « »  hie  in  anawev  in  nanny 

pra\  era.      1 low  many  providential  ends  lia\  c 

by  his  illneaa  '    ind  perhape  *- 1 1 1 1  greater  will  l». 

by  his  recovery."      bid  of  whom  Mr.  Benaon  mid,  "Hie 

appearance,  bii  -  ihortationa,  and  Ins  prayere,  !>r<»ke  moot 

of  our  hearts,  and  tilled  us  u  ith  shame  and  telf-ab  bm  incut. 

for  (inr  little  improvement." 

Mr.   Benson  lioned  thi  eI    Bradford,  in 

Yorkshire;    a  circuit  which  then  included  Halifax,  and 

several    other    populous    towns,    which    now    form    dif 
circuits.      His  colleagues  w .  r<    Messrs    Hopper  and    Lee. 
Mr.  Hopper  he  regarded   with  filial  reverence:   he  had 
previonely  laboured  with  him  in  Ibj    Newcaetle  circuit, 

and  from  that  time  he  had  boon  m  hahits  of  confidential 
intercourse  and  correspondence  witli  him.  As  their  af- 
fection was  reciprocal,  they  laboured  together  in 
love,  and  maintained  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of 
•  ;  and  their  ministry  WU  M  graciously  owned  of 
God,  that  lar^e  aeceaaioni  were  made  to  the  societies 
throughout  the  circuit.  Methodist  ministers  are  pre-emi- 
nently one  body  ;  they  are  linked  together  more  closely 
than  the  ministers  of  any  other  section  of  the  Chn>tian 
church;  and  their  personal  comfort,  no  lean  than  their 
success,  depends  essentially  on  the  love  ami  forhearance 
which    they    exercise    toward    each    other.     Cases    may 


62  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

occur,  in  which  they  will  be  required  to  put  on  that  charity 
which  will  cover  a  multitude  of  sins ;  and  to  bear  one 
another's  burdens,  and  thus  fulfil  the  law  of  Christ.  Fol- 
lowing each  other,  as  they  regularly  do,  in  their  several 
circuits,  they  have  frequent  opportunities  of  rendering  one 
another  essential  service.  They  hear  the  unsolicited 
opinions  of  the  people  concerning  their  colleagues ;  and 
can  correct  those  opinions,  if  erroneous,  or  confirm  them, 
if  consistent  with  truth.  There  are  persons  who  seek  to 
establish  their  own  reputation  on  the  ruins  of  others. 
They  cannot  bear  a  rival.  Jealousy,  cruel  as  the  grave, 
leads  them  to  think  that  their  own  lustre  is  tarnished  by 
the  brilliancy  of  their  brethren.  And  hence  they  labour  to 
exalt  themselves,  by  depreciating  the  worth  of  others. 
But  the  subject  of  this  memoir  was  a  man  of  another  mind. 
The  deep  and  self-abasing  views  that  he  entertained  of  his 
own  defects,  led  him  to  esteem  others  better  than  himself. 
uO,"  says  he,  "  how  far  am  I  short  of  the  character  of  the 
first  Christians  and  ministers  of  the  gospel !  I  have  read 
with  prayer  the  first  eight  chapters  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apos- 
tles, at  certain  times  this  week  ;  and  I  am  confounded  to 
find  myself  so  far  short  of  their  experience.  Lord,  how 
long  !  Do  thou  undertake  for  me,  and  bring  me  nigh  by 
the  blood  of  the  covenant ;  for  I  cannot  bear  to  live  in  this 
state  of  distance  from  thee,  whom  my  soul  desireth. 
Surely,  Lord,  thou  art  no  respecter  of  persons.  O  let  me, 
like  Peter,  John,  and  Stephen,  become  full  of  faith  and  the 
Holy  Ghost,  that  I  may  be  a  faithful  steward  of  thy  grace, 
and  minister  of  thy  word.  Alas !  how  little  progress  I 
make !  About  six  years  ago,  when  at  Oxford,  my  convic- 
tions and  desires  were  the  same  that  they  are  now ;  and 
then,  as  now,  1  longed  for  the  baptism  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 
After  having  read  the  Life  of  Philip  Henry,  Mr.  Benson 
devoutly  says,  "  Lord,  help  me  to  imitate  him,  especially 
in  private   prayer,  and  family  religion ;"    and  under  the 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  ■■ 

same  date,  he  Writes,  u  I  un  resolred  to  be  steady  in  read- 
ing the  Hebrew  Bible,  with  prayer,  till  breakfast,  every 
morning;  and  the  I  of  some  derol 

piece,  with  pray<  r,  from  five  until  six  in  tin-  evening. 
The  rest  of  the  day  I  hope  •  to  reading,  writing, 

visiting,  <kc,  as  shall  seem  most  le  die  glory  of  I 
Reflecting  on  the  grt >aJ  honour  which  God  put  upon  him, 
by  employing  him  to  minisfc  r  die  word  <>r  lift  lo 
crowded  congregations,  he  says,  M  Lord,  how  highly  am  I 
honoured  !  \\  hereas  that  excellent  man,  Mr.  Philip  Henry, 
preached  many  good  sermons,  on  the  Lord's  day,  to  fan 
or  live  people,  besides  his  own  family ;  I  hate  generally 
one  thousand  or  fifteen  hundred  to  preach  to  on  thai 

and    tWO   or   three    hundred  often  00  the    m  |    and 

yet  how  poor  must  my  dis<  i  i    in  oompaiisoa  of 

ins- 

\t  different  seasons  daring  the  coarse  of  this  year.  Mr. 
Benson  mentions  his  baring  been  blessed  with  peculiar 
times  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,  while 
eagaged  In  ministering  the  word  of  lift  \\  Kaon  i 
addressiag  the  congregation  on  the  iafinite  williagaess  <>\ 
Christ  to  s;t\(  the  chief  of  sinners,  such  ;i  diriae  p 
attended  the  word,  "that  the  whole  congregation  was  malted 
into  terns,  and  some  unable  to  contain  themsehree,  cried 
aloud  lor  mercy.'1  \nd  two  days  after  he  preached  lour 
times  with  great  enlargement  <»i"  heart.  And  on  each  of 
those  occasions  ins  hearers  ware  deeply  affected;  and 
especially  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  congregation  was 
unusuallv  large,  while  he  described  the  miserable  condition 
of  those  who  die  in  sin,  and  who  at  the  day  of  jadgmeat 
will  be  found  wanting,  when  weighed  in  the  balances  of 

eternal  justice.  At  the  clOSC  Of  the  year  the  following 
entry  is  made  in  his  journal  : — M  Another  year  is  now 
elapsed;  and,  blessed  lie  (Jod,  though  I  have  cause  to 
mourn  over  many  moments  misspent,  and  many  opportuni- 


64  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

ties  for  doing  good  finally  lost,  yet  I  have  cause  to  be 
thankful,  that  I  find  in  my  heart  the  peace  of  God  which 
passeth  all  understanding." 

It  is  impossible  to  peruse  with  any  considerable  degree 
of  attention  such  extracts  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal  as 
are  here  presented  to  the  reader,  without  perceiving  the 
genuine  •  humility  and  deep  lowliness  of  spirit  which  he 
possessed.  Had  he  been  at  all  disposed  to  cultivate  any 
self-complacency,  or  vanity  of  mind,  he  might  have  found 
a  pretext,  or  an  apology,  for  the  indulgence  of  such  a  dis- 
position. His  popularity  was  almost  unbounded.  His 
praise  was  in  all  the  churches.  Admiring  multitudes 
thronged  to  hear  him,  and  hung  upon  his  lips  with  riveted 
attention.  The  power  of  God  accompanied  his  ministry. 
The  sighs,  and  groans,  and  tears  of  his  auditors  proclaimed 
the  efficacy  of  his  word.  And  the  number  of  those  whom 
God  had  made  him  instrumental  in  bringing  to  a  know- 
ledge  of  the  truth,  the  children  of  his  faith  and  prayers, 
were  ready  to  rise  up  and  call  him  blessed.  Yet  none  of 
these  things  moved  him.  He  arrogated  to  himself  no 
praise  for  any  of  the  works  which  God  had  done  by  him. 
He  panted  for  no  pre-eminence,  except  that  of  being  pre- 
eminently good.  February  8th,  after  having  preached 
four  times  with  his  usual  earnestness,  instead  of  congratu- 
lating himself  with  the  thought  of  having  done  his  duty,  he 
says  :  "  I  began,  but  I  fear  I  have  not  ended,  this  day  in  the 
Spirit.  The  enemy  has  been  too  cunning  for  me.  He,  I 
fear,  and  not  the  Lord,  has  prompted  me  to  exert  myself 
in  preaching  so  much  beyond  my  strength,  that  I  injured 
my  breast,  and  brought  a  degree  of  guilt  upon  my  con- 
science. I  have  not  sufficiently  attended  to  the  declara- 
tion, '  Not  by  wisdom,  nor  by  might,  but  by  my  Spirit, 
saith  the  Lord.' " 

February  28th,  he  writes  :  "  I  bless  the  Lord  that  he 
has   richly  rewarded   me   to-day  for   yesterday's  labour, 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  RENfl  65 

-when  I  only  wished  to  be  pardoned  tor  not  improving  the 
day    better.      \\  hen    I     ■SOBS    in    the    morning.    I    found  a 

strong  desire  to  tpend  the  day  hi  isjtiiessjcnl  ami  prayer; 
and  during  my   morning   devotions,  the   bond  drew  refw 

near,  and  c<Midurt»-d  DM  much  ;    but  especially  at  illd 

break!  I'd  Ins  lore  rerj  powerfull)  abroad  m  my 

heart,  and  gave  HM  an  indescribable  hungering  and  thirst- 
ing alter  righteousness.  1  could  do  nothing  but  pray  that 
I     might     be     hol\.    SI    be    w  bo    hi'h    called     nit      !-     holy. 

Every  thing  else  ippeared  to  me  bo  insignificant  u  i 

re  a   thought.      <>  bow    I    k>l  tk  and  trunk  of 

oothing  else  '     0  hoi  ble  thai  nine  appeared  to  me, 

w  ben    I   shall  glorify  hie   name  end  do  his  will,  without 

imperfection  and  without  end  !"    March   15th,  In 
have    been,    cuntrnn    to    my    unreasonable    fears,    much 
assisted  tins  evening  in  publishing  the  glsd  tidii 
ration  to  ■   large  essembly.     1  do  not   know-  t hat  I 

was    led    10    make    M  free    an    othr  of  a  lull,  perfe.  \ 

universal  pardon  to  all  who  would  accept,  io  the  w;i\  of 

repentance  and  faith,  the  inesl unable  blessing.  Tin-  is 
properly  preaching  the  gospel;  and  such  d\  n  this 

I  rejoice  to  preach,  as  the  one  foundation  ofnTJ    hop* 

of  the  hope  of  ever)   criminal."     Halifax,  March   lyth: 

"'The    Lord    is    risen   indeed;    lor  be   bath  appeared  to   us 

this  day  in  all  our  meetings.     In  tin  Morningm 

while  1  read  how  he  made  himself  known  Io  his  disi  iples, 

on    their    way    to    I  humans  .     and    at    BOSS]    mv    beail    wis 

enlarged,  and  I  bad  liberty  in  preaching.     Hut  we  had  the 

most     remarkable    time   at    the    k>TS  fosst  had 

waited  a  considerable  tune,  and  a  I.  w  bad  ipokaS),  mv 
soul  was  drawn  out.  and  my  mouth  so  open  to  speak  with 

power,  that  the  whole  congregation  losnaed  greatly  aib 

and    broken   down,    and   some   cried   out  aloud.      Lord,  let 

not  this  tall  to  the  ground."     May  28th,  he  says:  "This 

Meaning,  while  at  prayer,  the  Lord  graciously  led  me  into 


66  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

the  way  of  faith  ;  simple,  easy,  unreasoning  faith ,  and  set 
my  soul  quite  free  from  all  those  doubts  and  fears  which 
harassed  my  mind  these  two  past  days.  This  time  of 
trial  and  heaviness  has  had  its  use.  I  have  seen  a  little 
more  into  my  exceeding  weakness,  and  the  need  I  have 
of  continually  looking  to  Him  who  hath  promised  to  help 
in  time  of  need.  This  indeed  is  the  way,  to  expect  no- 
thing from  myself,  but  every  thing  from  him  as  my  wants 
require."  Thus  the  life  that  he  lived  in  the  flesh,  he  lived 
by  the  faith  of  the  Son  of  God :  and  while  he  diligently 
and  daily  studied  the  word  of  God,  that  he  might  bring  out 
of  that  divine  treasury  things  new  and  old,  he  was  not  an 
inattentive  spectator  of  the  works  of  God.  The  beauties 
of  visible  nature  excited  his  admiration,  and  with  adoring 
gratitude  he  looked  up  "  through  nature  unto  nature's  God." 
Being  at  a  village  near  Halifax,  June  10th,  he  says: 
"  This  afternoon  I  had  a  most  delightful  and  retired  walk 
on  the  banks  of  the  pleasant  river  which  waters  this  fruit- 
ful valley  ;  and  while  the  verdure  of  the  fields,  the  song  of 
birds,  and  the  beauty  of  the  landscape,  the  most  delightful 
I  ever  beheld,  cheered  and  regaled  my  senses,  my  soul 
ascended  to  the  glorious  Author  of  these  wonders  of  crea- 
tion, and  praised  and  magnified  the  great  source  of  beauty 
and  perfection."  Having,  about  this  time,  read  two 
pamphlets  on  Infant  Baptism,  he  remarks  :  "  They  at  least 
show  that  it  was  the  practice  of  the  primitive  church  to 
baptize  infants  for  three  hundred  years  after  Christ,  as  it 
was  also  the  practice  of  the  Christians  from  that  time 
down  to  the  Reformation.  And  this  to  me  is  a  sufficient 
argument,  that  it  was  the  custom  of  the  apostles  ;  other- 
wise, how  could  such  an  institution  take  place  so  near 
their  times,  and  so  universally  ?" 

This  year  (1778)  the  conference  was  held  at  Leeds. 
The  propriety  of  sending  missionaries  to  Africa  was  then 
attentively  considered.     "  The  proposal  was  made  in  con- 


J, III.  OF  JOSEPH  131 


sequence  of  two  yountr  princes,  from  Calabar,  in  Gu 
who  desired  thai  missionaries  might  l"    seal  to  instruct 
them  in  the  English  Laag  I  principles  of 

Christianity.     These  yonng  :  •  6n  cruellj 

away  from  their  own  country,  and  sold  II  I  America, 

where  they  roaiiisod  seven  years,     in  English  d 

ship,  to  \s  liom  they  told  their  -t<»ry.  pitied  them,  and  a-' 

them  to  run  away  from  their  .  H  hich  tie  < 

n  era  brought  by  him  to  England.  Then  rnned 

and  brought  before  Lord  Msasaeld,  sad  they  w* 
liberty.     They  raadi  nay  is  Bristol,  sad  were  in- 

structed in  the  English  Isageage  and  the  truths  Of  Chris- 
tianity, by  ■'•■.  After  they  had  returned 
to  their  own  country,  at   their   request,  two   pen 

■rare  Germans,  but  mesal  i  iety  m  Br: 

seal  out  for  Guiaes  ;  hut  they  both  died,  either 

.soon  after.  th<y  landed  on  that  06  \ounLr  pri 

saal  oner  petitions  for  otbi 

men  offered  themselves  for  the  difficult  and  dsageioui 

vice.     Uut  after  the  mattei  ed,  it 

was  lanclednd  thai  the  tunc  had  no*  arrired  for  sending 

aaassaaariei  to  Africa."     ( m  srhal  principle,  <»r  by  what 

mode  of  arssaneat,  the  conference  oa 

we  bars  no  meaas of  aseertsining.     Ressoning rrom  what 

we  know,  we  cannot    fail  to  draw  a  very  ditlen  : 

sssasi  »'<>n<  aauoa  ;  and  say,  that  die  set  tune  was  then 

for  showing  ineiv\  to  \fnca.      That  the  people  ofthi 

seeded   and  cmelly  eppf easel  country  needed  Chri 

missionaries,  and  that  Christian  missionaries  would  have 
rendered  them  hnaesnee  and  incalculahle  service,  for  time 
and  for  eternity,  no  douht  can  he  entertained  The  h- 
turns  that  coidd  possibly  have  been  made  to  Africa  for  the 
unprovoked  and  reiterated  STTOOgl  indicted  on  her  children, 
would  have  been  to  send  them  the  gospel.  And  hen  was 
an  effectual  door  opened,  and  men  ready  to  enter  it,  and, 


68  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

at  the  call  of  God,  to  visit  the  most  inhospitable  clime,  to 
save  the  souls  of  its  inhabitants ;  but  the  conference,  after 
serious  consideration,  came  to  the  conclusion,  that  the  time 
had  not  arrived  for  sending  missionaries  to  Africa.  But 
though  missionaries  were  withheld,  yet  prayers,  which 
"  were  manifestly  attended  with  a  great  blessing,"  were 
offered  on  behalf  of  Africa.  Since,  however,  the  confer- 
ence have  done  more  for  the  sable  sons  of  Ham,  than  pray 
for  them  :  they  have  sent  men  to  tell  them  words  by  which 
they  may  be  saved  ;  men  who  have  not  counted  their  lives 
dear  unto  themselves  so  that  they  might  finish  their  course 
with  joy,  and  the  ministry  which  they  have  received  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God. 
And  the  Lord  has  worked  with  them,  and  confirmed  the 
word  by  signs  following ;  so  that  Ethiopia  is  now  stretch- 
ing out  her  hands  unto  God ;  and  thousands  of  her  chil- 
dren, who  once  were  sitting  in  darkness  and  in  the  region 
of  the  shadow  of  death,  have  seen  the  light  of  the  glory  of 
God  in  the  face  of  Jesus  Christ. 

At  the  conference  above  referred  to,  Mr.  Benson  was 
appointed  to  the  Manchester  circuit,  which  occupied  a 
great  part  of  the  county  of  Lancashire.  In  the  course  of 
this  year,  he  mentions  the  great  profit  he  had  derived  by 
the  perusal  of  the  Lives  of  some  eminently  pious  men ; 
especially  those  of  the  Marquis  de  Renty,  and  Thomas 
Walsh.  In  reference  to  the  former,  though  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Church  of  Rome, — a  church  peculiarly  corrupt 
and  superstitious, — yet  Mr.  Benson  says,  "  Alas  !  how  far 
short  do  I  come  of  the  faith  and  hope  by  which  he  was 
animated !  I  am  quite  ashamed  to  see  myself,  with  far 
greater  advantages,  at  such  a  distance  from  that  portion  of 
divine  love  which  he  possessed."  Thomas  Walsh,  who 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  had  also  been  a  Papist,  but  he  had 
in  early  life  renounced  the  errors  of  Popery,  and  subse- 
quently became  an  itinerant  preacher  in  the  Methodist 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  r>9 

connection.     Mr.  Wesley  said  of  him,  that  he  u  ui 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  Bible,  thai  if  he  WSJ 
tioned  concerning  any  Hebrew  word  in  the  Old,  or  any 
<;r<'<-k  word  in  the  Men  Testament,  he  would  teU,  after  a 
little  panne,  ant  only  how  often  the  one  or  the  oUm  r  occur- 
red in  the  Bible,  but  also  what  it  meant  in  every  , 
Such  a  master  of  Biblic  knowh  dge  I  nevt  i  saw  befon 
nnver  expect  to  si  e  again."    And  Ins  piety  kept  pace  with 
lassies]  sttainments.     Mr.  Benson  says,  ••  I  lorn:  is 
follow,  though  at  a  distance,  that  eminent  servant  o(  I 
His  fervency  and  cousxanej  in  prayer;  Ins  mortihV 
and  self-denial;  bis deadness  to  tin-  world,  and  all  n  eon- 
t:niis ;  his  care  to  redeem  the  time,  spending  none  of  it  in 
vain  conversation  or  ceremonious  i  isrts .  bia  recollection  <»i 
spirit,  and  stend]  a<  riousnosi  .  his  love  <>:  ( Sod,  and  seal  for 
Ins  glory  ;  hi>  incessant  labours  for  the  good  of  souli 
short,  his  whole  deportment  in  public  and  private,  make  bm 
quite  ashamed  of  myself,  though  at  tin-  same  time  1  feel 
niv  sdul  athirst  to  loilow  him  as  be  allowed  (  hriat.'1 

In  consequence  of  a  visil  which  Mr  Benson  received 
from  a  clergyman,  with  whom  be  had  boon  proiiousri  and 
intimately  acquainted,  he  was  1..1  i->  eonlranl  his  situation 
with  that  of  a  minister  of  the  established  <  Ihurch.  "  1  h<- 
Lord."'  says  be,  Mhaa  mad.-  me  very  thankful  for  the  daily 
opportunities  be  giw  -  me  oi  preaching  bia  word,  and  saaot 
tug  his  people.  And  though  in  temporal  things  my  situa- 
tion is  far  less  romloiiahlr  to  nature  than  it  would  be  WOtt 

1  a  clergyman  in  the  established  Church ;  yet  1  be 

burger  bold  to  labour  m  than  sag  parish  ministor  can  have, 
and  far  more  opportunities  of  doing  good." 

Septemher  29th,  he  writes  i  '•  I  have  had  a  bl< 
son  this  evening  in  prayer,  residing,  and  meditation.     I 

have  found  my  will  BWOStly  resigned  to  the  Lord,  my  heart 
devoted  to  him,  and  all  my  powers  so  impressed  with  his 
greatness  and  goodness,  that  1  adored  and  praised  him  in 


70  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

humiliation  and  love.  I  was  particularly  inspired  with  a 
spirit  of  prayer.  O  how  my  soul  hungered  and  thirsted 
after  righteousness,  and  to  do  and  suffer  all  his  will !  I 
gave  myself  up  wholly  to  his  disposal,  from  a  satisfactory 
conviction  that  he  would  make  all  things  work  together  for 
my  good,  as  I  clearly  saw  he  had  hitherto  done.  I  traced 
his  goodness  from  my  childhood,  marked  all  his  dispensa- 
tions toward  me,  especially  since  my  conversion  to  him, 
and  owned  they  had  all  been  well  ordered,  in  infinite  wis- 
dom, and  boundless  love.  I  saw  all  my  trials,  though 
grievous  to  nature,  had  been  the  means  of  advancing  me 
in  grace,  and  had  mightily  wrought  for  my  good."  No- 
vember 27th,  he  says  :  "  This  morning,  while  at  private 
prayer,  I  enjoyed  sweet  peace  and  near  access  to  God, 
and  found  much  comfort  in  believing.  But  all  this  was 
little  to  what  I  found  afterward,  both  at  family  prayer  and 
all  the  day.  My  soul  was,  as  it  were,  let  into  God,  and 
satiated  with  his  goodness.  He  so  strengthened  my  faith, 
as  perfectly  to  banish  all  my  unprofitable  reasonings,  as 
well  as  doubts  and  fears  ;  and  he  so  filled  me  with  humble, 
peaceful  love,  that  I  could  and  did  devote  my  soul  and 
body,  health  and  strength,  to  his  glory  and  service,  only 
longing  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  him.  O  how  I  longed 
to  offend  him  no  more !  to  do  all  his  will,  and  to  promote 
his  glory  !  My  heart  and  soul  cried,  '  Lord,  make  me  holy 
and  useful,  and  ordain  concerning  me  as  thou  pleasest. 
Welcome  trials,  tribulations,  and  temptations,  only  do  thou 
support  me,  and  establish  my  soul  in  this  peace.'  O  what 
a  change  has  the  Lord  wrought  in  me  !  Glory  be  to  God, 
I  am  a  new  creature  ;  I  am  indeed  put  into  the  possession 
of  a  new  nature.  I  now  experience,  that  though  no  trial 
for  the  present  is  joyous  but  grievous,  yet  afterward  it 
yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness.  When  I 
was  last  here,  I  was  oppressed  with  heavy  trials,  but  the 
Lord  hath  turned  my  sorrow  into  joy." 


LH-I  71 

About  this  time  he  received  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  \. 
M.  Cheek,  with  whom  lie  bad  pre  i  en  on  terms  of 

intimacy;  an<  *n  which  ia  here  subjoin- 

"Dear  Sib, — I  have  snatched  the  first  favourable  op- 
portunity of  acknowledging,  that  notwithstanding  our  long 
absence,  and  the  many  miles'  distance  bet*  .  ■  I  my 

heart  stands  in  the  very  same  relation  it  did,  to  yon,  from 
the  first  of  our  acquaintance  ;  and  I  should  rejoice  much 
to  hare  the  pleasure  <>f  seeing  you  once  more  in  the  flesh. 
Y<ui  cannot  think  more  frequently  of  me  than  I  do  <>f  you  ; 
and  I  often  think  there  is  not  ■  man  I  know  that  I  r 
choose  s.i  soon  to  help  me  in  the  gospel  i  If.     I 

have  often  thought  how  much  it  would  please  m<-  to  have 

it  in  my  power  to  bring  you  into  the  Church  ;  not  that  I 
believe  yon  would  be  in<>r.-  extensively  useful,  but  you 
would  be  useful  in  ■  way  yon  cannot  now.     Did  I  no 

that,  through  God's  mercy,  I  am  enabled,  in  some 
Bense,  to  serve  him  and  his  church  where  I  am,  I  should 
quit  my  present  for  my  former  connections  ;  for  I  still  re- 
tain the  same  love  and  regard  for  all  that  love  the   I 
J>'mis  Christ  in  sincerity.     I  rejoice  greatly  thai  you  find 
yourself  so  happy,  and  so  resigned  t.»  your  pre! 
tion.      0,  my  dear  Benson,  it  matters  not  bow  we  spend  a 
short  and  uncertain   life,  so  that  we  are   approved  by  Him 
who  gave  it  to  US.      1  know  in  your  way  trials  come  thick 
and  crosses  are  both  frequent  and  heavy;  bu.  great  is  the 

nee  that  is  promised    Tour  own  declaratio 
that   God  comforts  your    soul,  blesses    your   labours,   and 
makes  his  work  your  delight.     You  find,  then,  that  as  your 
trials  are.  so  are   your  comforts;    and  as   your  work 
is  your  reward.     Who  would  not  labour  for  such  a  Master, 
and  be  faithful  to  such  a  Lor  I 

January  1st,  1779,  Mr.  Benson,  after  having  preached  m 
Manchester,  joined  with  the  society  in  renewing  his  cove- 


72  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

nant  with  God.  This  peculiarly  solemn  and  devotional 
means  of  grace  has  been  used  by  the  Methodists  from  an 
early  period  of  their  history.  August  6th,  1755,  Mr.  Wes- 
ley says :  "  I  mentioned  to  our  congregation  in  London  a 
means  of  increasing  serious  religion,  which  had  been  fre- 
quently practised  by  our  forefathers, — the  joining  in  a  co- 
venant to  serve  God  with  all  our  heart,  and  with  all  our 
soul.  I  explained  this  for  several  mornings  following  ;  and 
on  Friday  many  of  us  kept  a  fast  unto  the  Lord  ;  beseech- 
ing him  to  give  us  wisdom  and  strength,  that  we  might 
promise  unto  the  Lord  our  God,  and  keep  it.  On  Monday, 
at  six  in  the  evening,  we  met  for  that  purpose  in  the  French 
church  at  Spitalfields.  After  I  had  recited  the  tenor  of 
the  covenant,  proposed  in  the  words  of  that  blessed  man 
Richard  Alleine,  all  the  people  stood  up  in  token  of  assent, 
to  the  number  of  eighteen  hundred.  Such  a  night  I  scarce 
ever  knew  before.  Surely  the  fruit  of  it  shall  remain  for 
ever."  This  service  is  now  usually  performed  in  all  our 
large  societies  the  first  Lord's  day  in  the  new  year  ;  and 
is  followed  by  the  administration  of  the  sacrament  of  the 
Lord's  supper.  And  the  numerous  attendance,  and  serious- 
ness of  demeanour,  evinced  on  these  occasions,  are  the 
certain  criteria  of  the  deep  interest  that  our  people  take  in 
such  services.  Several  things  conspire  together  to  render 
these  devotional  exercises  peculiarly  impressive.  A  re- 
trospective view  of  the  mercies  with  which  our  lives  have 
been  crowned,  and  the  dangers  from  which  we  have  been 
graciously  delivered  during  the  past  year  ;  and  the  solemn 
thought,  that  the  year  on  which  we  have  recently  entered 
wil  to  some  of  us,  prove  our  last, — that,  ere  its  close,  the 
period  of  our  probation  may  terminate,  and  our  state  of 
unutterable  glory,  or  of  indescribable  punishment,  be  eter- 
nally fixed, — can  scarcely  fail  to  impress  our  minds  with 
a  deep,  death-like  seriousness.  And  the  covenant  service 
that  is  read, — a  service  so  deeply  and  exclusively  devo- 


LITE  OF  JOSEPH  71 

tional   in  its  cJ  and   lowly 

in  its  language, — with  I  offered,  the 

vows  thai  are  made,  and  the  dear  memorials  of  the  Saviour's 
body  ami  blood  thai  an-  taken, — all  tend  to  make  an  im- 
00  on  the  mind  of  the  deTOUi  worshipper  that  cannot 
easily  be  effaced.     Hence  Mr.  B<  si  this  onli- 

eminent!}  J  to  bis  own  mind  . 

peculiarly  calculated  to  awaken  the  i 

tions,  and  effect  the  happi  the  minds  ol  others. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Mr   WYsli  v's  i  »rk •<  on  the  danger  of  much 

company — M      I  ichai  at  different 

mother  tad 

the  Glory  of  Christ — Is  teemed  of  Arieonm 

iurd  at  the  confer*  -in'c — [■  tullv  justified  from  this  ri.  -uncc-* 

lion  thai  be  bad  i  of  the  pren  unman 

»oul  of  Clirist — M.  letter  to  him  on  tkia  ■object — Hii 

risge — A    h - r t <  r  from    him   to  Mr  I 

retiring  from   the   itinerant  work — R< 
.  different  ' 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1779  Mr.  Wesley  paid  i 
lo  New-Mills,  in  Derbyshire;  where,  he  saym,  *a  oorn- 
modioos  preaching-houae,  lately  built,  has  proved  ■  I 
ing  to  the  whole  country.     They  flock  together  from  i 
Quarter,  and  arc  thankful  both  to  God  and  men."     Here 
Mr.  Benson  met  him,  and  enjoyed  the  pririlege  of  his 

conversation,   and   also  ol    hearing  him    preach  ;    but,   Tor 

want  of  watchfulness,  be  -   >  I,  "  My  mind  was  not  enough 
stayed  on  God;   and,  then  fore,  I    profited  hut  little  in  my 

spiritual  interests:  hut  while  Mr.  Wesley  was  meeting  the 

society,    I    was  much  comforted;    and    also   after  supper. 

While  he   was  praying  with  us."     That  sentiment  of  the 

1 


74  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

poet,  "  We  should  suspect  some  clanger  nigh,  where  we 
possess  delight,"  is  too  frequently  disregarded.  The 
society  of  our  Christian  friends  lays  suspicion  asleep  :  we 
dream  of  no  danger  when  slumbering  on  the  lap  of  pleasure. 
In  company  with  those  whom  we  esteem,  we  are  usually 
off  our  guard,  and  are  betrayed  into  the  indulgence  of  a 
levity  of  spirit,  a  dissipation  of  mind,  and  a  freedom  of  con- 
versation, that  savours  more  of  guilt  than  gratification,  in 
the  review.  We  need  as  much  to  watch  and  pray,  when 
associated  with  our  Christian  friends,  as  when  surrounded 
by  our  ungodly  enemies.  Mr.  Benson  was  feelingly  alive 
to  the  danger  of  being  often  found  in  promiscuous  society. 
Hence  he  says :  "  Being  in  company,  and  too  little  in 
private,  I  did  not  find  such  nearness  to  God  as  I  did  the 
last  three  days.  If  I  have  grieved  thy  Spirit,  by  neglect 
of  prayer,  or  by  unwatchfulness,  Lord,  do  thou  forgive  me  ; 
and  preserve,  O  preserve  me  from  every  known  and 
secret  sin !" 

Early  in  the  month  of  May,  he  set  out  on  a  visit  to  his 
friends  in  the  north  ;  and  on  his  way  he  preached  at  Hali- 
fax, Bradford,  Darlington,  and  divers  other  places.  In  this 
journey,  God  was  eminently  with  him.  The  crowds  that 
even- where  flocked  to  hear  him  were  large  and  attentive. 
Many  were  deeply  affected,  while  the  tears  of  sorrow  that 
were  shed  evinced  the  genuine  contrition  of  the  hearts  of 
his  hearers.  After  visiting  his  mother  and  sister,  at  Bishop- 
Aukland,  he  preached  at  Durham,  Newcastle,  Sunderland, 
and  Alnwick ;  and  returned  to  his  circuit.  June  16th  ;  when 
he  makes  the  following  entry  in  his  journal :  "  And  now 
the  Lord  has  brought  me  back  in  health  and  peace  to  the 
place  whence  I  set  out,  and  was  recommended  to  the 
grace  of  God  by  the  prayers  of  the  people..  I  have  great 
cause  to  praise  the  Lord  that  he  has  preserved  my  body 
in  health  amidst  much  labour  and  fatigue,  and  has  kept  my 
mind  in  peace  amidst  much  hurry  ;  and,  above  all,  that  he 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON 

has  been  with  me  in  my  rod  granted  me,  at  moat 

places.  Ins  favour  and  pn  Toward  the  latter  end 

of  Juno.  i.  bat  aiamtad had  been  greatl) 

by  powerful  temptations  from  the  enemy :    that  hn 
deprived  of  thai  liberty  in  preaching  \%  ith  whi 
former  i  is  he  had  been  |racioualy  indu 

tliat  he  had  little  <>r  M  to  the  throne  of  th- 

;  hut  early  in  July  he  experienced  a  signal  deliver- 
.  and  lie  was  enabled  confidently  I  Moaned  be 

tli.-    Lord,   he    h  more   brought   hi-   peace  into  my 

heart'     Thil  morning  his  light  and  L)V<  .radually  to 

cheer  my  diaconaolate  mind  :  he  gently  dispelled  all  my 

reasoning,  and  doubts,  .-md  fears,  with  which  I  had 
o}»{>r»  —  enabled m  dl my  care  on  him;  and 

all  this  day  I   ha\e  enjoyed  a  COO  I  The 

Christian's  life  is  a  spiritual  warfare.  faith; 

re   invisible :    the  teal   of  conflict     - 

inward  man,  and  the  SOtd  IS  the  gre  ■" 

and   hell.      In   this   eventful   struu-le  there 

peculiar  conflict ;  win  a  the  enemy  thrusts 
\i  at  that  we  may  fall  ;  an-! 
devoted  ( Christian,  I  -  doubtful. 

Mr.  Benson  felt  this;  and  when  reflecting  on  his  anfsith- 
rulness,  and  th<  e  require  w,  he 

was  led  to  exclaim  :  u  Ah!  my  ( Sod,  n bat  \\ ill 

Shall  I   perish  after  all'      Shall  I  pray,  and  pn 
and  travel,  and  lahour  IT  Wintry  for  the  Lr«><»d  of  (H 

and  my  own  ^nil  j>erish  everlastingly!"     The  changi 

Mr.    h  of  fe»  Ling   and    Chris: 

.    hut   although   lie   was   alternately  the 
subject  of  Joy   and    sorrow,   elevation  and    I 
his  integrity  of  mind,  his  sincerity  of  heart,  and  his  n 
to  the  glory  of  the  ultimate  object  of  his  pn 

knew    no   change,   and    was    subject    to  no  variation.      In 
these    respects    he    was    steadfast,    unmoveable,    always 


76  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord.  Hence,  after  having 
preached  three  times,  and  met  many  classes,  September 
2d,  he  says  :  "  As  my  day  is,  so  generally  is  my  strength. 
To  thee,  my  God,  be  all  the  glory !  Only  make  me  useful, 
and  accept  my  poor  labours,  and  of  myself,  as  thy  child ; 
and  I  entirely  resign  to  thee  my  body  and  soul,  my  health 
and  strength,  my  time  and  talents.  O  my  God,  I  do  and 
will  rejoice  to  wear  myself  out  in  thy  service." 

Few  men  have  ever  formed  a  more  exalted  idea  of  the 
character  of  the  gospel  ministry,  or  have  brought  to  it 
talents  of  a  higher  order,  than  Mr.  Benson ;  and  few  men 
have  ever  been  more  deeply  conscious  of  the  absolute 
necessity  of  obtaining  divine  aid  in  preparing  for  the  pul- 
pit, or  of  rightly  discharging  their  duty  in  it,  than  he  was. 
And  to  this  may  be  attributed  that  self-accusation,  and  se- 
verity of  judgment,  which  he  pronounced  upon  himself, 
when  he  at  all  suspected  that  he  had  placed  too  much  de- 
pendance  on  his  own  resources.  September  19th,  he 
says  :  "  O  when  shall  I  learn  experience  from  what  I  suf- 
fer !  This  morning  I  fell  into  the  same  mistake,  or  rather 
sin,  I  have  often  fallen  into.  Having'  made  choice  of  that 
beautiful  portion  of  Scripture,  Deut.  xxxiii,  26,  &c,  to 
preach  from,  and  which  I  had  formerly  written  upon ;  as 
if  I  could  speak  well  from  it  without  God's  help,  I  went 
into  the  pulpit  with  too  little  desire  for,  or  dependance 
upon,  the  divine  aid  :  and  the  consequence  was,  as  I  might 
well  expect,  I  was  left  to  feel  my  own  weakness ;  and  I 
fear  I  was  of  little  use  to  the  congregation.  I  was  after- 
ward grieved  that  I  had  lost  a  precious  opportunity  of  do- 
ing the  people  good,  and  spoiled  a  fine  passage  of  God's 
word."  The  judgment  which  ministers  form  of  their  own 
sermons  is  not  always  correct.  The  ablest  preachers 
are  frequently  the  most  sensible  of  their  own  deficiencies, 
and  the  most  disposed  to  underrate  their  own  work.  And 
to  hide  pride  from  man,  God  sometimes  employs  the  weak- 


LIFE  iEPU  BES  "  I 

est  instruments,  and  -auctions  the  feeblest  perf 
lor  the  promotion  of  hie  glory.     The  divine  word  do 

efficacy  Iroin  ihfl  mode  of  its  delivery  :  and  how- 
ever desirable  it  may  be  fat  those  who   minister   it  to 
enlargement  of  heart,  and  liberty  taring 

the  whole  counsel  of  God  to  their  bearers, 
wholly  <»i"  the  Lord  ;  fat  "  neither  is  he  thai  plmtoth  any 
thing,   neither   lie   thai    watereth,   l>nt    God    thai    giveth 
the  in  nut- 

let in  tmiblding  hi-  mi  a  any 

certain  data  thai  his  message  La  tOtall}  L0U8J    and 

OUghl  not  to  hail  him  to  com  hide  that  he  b  red  in 

vain,  or  spoil   bifl  Btrengtfa   lor   naught.      The  I  i 

frequently  benefited  under  sennons  of  which  the  preachers 

are  a-hained. 

In  the  coarse  of  Mr.  Benson'!  n  i  ling, 

ten  by  Dr.  Watts,  (in  tin-  M Glory  of  Christ,"  fell  11 

hands.      The  object   of  this   treat.-  prove   that   the 

human  soul  of  Christ  existed  for  a-je>  pn 

anion  with  a  human  body.     To  this  doctrine  Mr.  B< 

became  a  convert  .  if  n  ap]M  and  to  him  a  key  to  diver* 
paaaagea    of   Scripture,    ami    well    calculated   to    reconcile 

sundry  texts  which,  without  it,  teemed  irreconcilable. 
Having  ipokea  his  mind  freely  upon  this  subject,  be 
became   suspected  of  being   an   Arias;   and 

warmly  attacked,  and  represented  as  an  Arian  all  over  the 

kingdom.     Dr.  Coke,  especially,  with  a  laudabl 

orthodox  Christianity,  and  particularly  the  doctrine  of  the 
Stems]  deity  of  Christ,  wrote  him  a  letter,  in  which  he 
SOCUSes  bhn  Of  having  embraced  the   Arian  heresy.      This 

gave  rise  to  a  dispute  and  a  controversy  between  them. 

And  the  busmen  was  deemed  of  SO  much  importance,  that 
at  the  ensuing  conference,  held  in  Bristol,  the  subject  was 
mentioned.      But  Mr.  Wesley  would  not  allow  it  to  t» 
bated  in  open  conference,  but  very  judiciously  appointed  a 


78  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

committee  of  the  preachers  to  investigate  it  on  the  follow- 
ing day.  "  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day,"  says  Mr.  Benson, 
"we  met  the  committee,  whose  unanimous  and  clear  opin- 
ion was,  that  I  was  no  Arian ;  and  that  Dr.  Coke  had  no 
ground  for  speaking  and  writing  of  me  in  the  manner  he 
had  done.  He  seemed  very  sensible  of  it,  and  offered  to 
ask  my  pardon  before  them  all."  On  the  following  morn- 
ing the  committee  presented  their  report  to  the  conference, 
and  Mr.  Benson  and  Dr.  Coke  shook  hands  in  token  of 
mutual  reconciliation.  Still  Mr.  Benson  retained  the  opin- 
ion that  the  soul  of  the  Redeemer  existed  before  all  worlds, 
as  the  first-born  of  every  creature ;  and  was,  from  its  first 
existence,  in  the  most  perfect  union  with  the  Father's 
Godhead,  or  with  his  eternal  Wisdom,  or  Word.  But 
some  years  subsequently,  he  was  appointed  to  make  addi- 
tions to  certain  manuscripts,  which  Mr.  Fletcher  had  left  in 
an  unfinished  state.  "  I  then,"  says  he,  "  at  first  thought 
to  introduce  the  doctrine  of  the  pre-existence  of  Christ's 
human  soul ;  and  wrote  some  pages  for  that  purpose,  but, 
after  mature  consideration,  waved  it,  for  the  following  rea- 
sons : — 1.  I  believed  it  my  duty  to  keep  close  to  the  Bible, 
both  as  to  sentiment  and  expression,  and  I  could  not  find 
in  it  any  such  expression  as  the  pre-existent  soul  of  Christ. 
2.  I  reverenced  the  doctrine  of  the  primitive  church,  I 
mean,  as  handed  down  to  us  in  the  writings  of  the  ancient 
fathers,  during  the  three  first  centuries,  as  the  best  inter- 
pretation of  the  Scriptures ;  and  I  found  no  such  senti- 
ments or  expressions  used  by  them.  On  the  contrary, 
they  universally  speak  as  though  the  whole  human  nature 
of  Christ,  his  soul  as  well  as  his  body,  were  derived  from 
his  virgin  mother,  though  by  the  power  of  the  Spirit  of 
God ;  representing  him  as  the  seed  of  the  woman,  as  the 
seed  of  Abraham,  and  of  David,  and  as  very  man,  which  it 
is  certain  he  could  not  have  been,  if  his  soul,  which  is  the 
better   half  of  man,   had   not  been  human,  but  of  quite 


LI1  J. 

another  nature  and  origin.     3.  I  found  what  I  had  n 
Jill  adverted  to  at  ft  dial  for  an 

to  have  pre-existed  would  involve  me  in  ad,  I 

now  think,  an  inextricable  difficulty.     It  would  oblij 
td  suppose,  that  it  v.  ed  toalmo  altogether, 

I  non-entity,  upon  in  tin* 

virgin's  womb.     For  it  must  have  been  deprived  of  all 
thought,  and  all  eon  in  reman 

spirit,  whose  thought  and  coi  I  hard,  if 

not  impossible  lis. —  l.  That  u.    know 

that  .l<-sus  increased  in  w  ire,  and  in 

favour  with   Go  U  as   man,  and   waxed  strong  in 

spirit  :  all  of  which  is  perfectly  intelligible,  on  ']<>-  suppo- 
sition, that  his  whole  human:  OflD  his  mother, 

that  he  grew  np  like  another  child ;  but  very  difficult 
conceived,  supposing  bis  soul  <  \isi<-d  before  all   worlds, 
high  in  the  favour  of  God,  and  was  from  it--  firsi 

ssed  of  knowledge  and  power  to  us  inconcen 
•  considt  .1  unwillii 

out  any  sentiment   which  mighi  kindle  strife   amon( 

me  determine,  after  man)  months'  mature  i 
tion.  to  wave  saying  on.'  word  about  the  p 

Christ's  human   soul."      ll«-   tuitln 

St.  John,  termed,  chap.  i.  l  I.  tkt  eei* 

tlnr.  and  th*    Son  OJ  not  two  , 

the  tame  :  and  all  the  ancient  fat  dm  in 

this  light  before,  and  indeed  after,  the  coum  il 
and  the  whole  stream  of  Christian  antiquity, 
tin-  Lrreai(Nt  modern  divines,  at  home  and  abroad,  t1 
formers,  m  particular,  to  a  man.     Now,  surely  the  catholic 
church  is  not  ;  •  nted  from  lightly  :  and  1  am 

not  out  of  dm  m  fanciful  a  *  riter  as  Mr.  Rei 

many  of  whose  expositions,  1  think,  are  as  perfectly  un- 
lahle  and  unseriptural  as  they  an-  singular."      I 

h<  ace  it  appears  that  ••  when  he  can*  to  look  at  ih< 


80  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

ject  in  all  its  aspects  and  bearings,  he  saw,  that  the  divinity 
of  our  Lord,  which  he  always  believed  to  be  a  Scriptural 
verity,  could  not  be  maintained  against  so  acute  an  assail- 
ant as  Dr.  Priestley,  without  the  complete  abandonment  of 
his  former  explanatory  and  conciliatory  speculations ;  and 
he  did  completely  and  for  ever  abandon  them,  and  success- 
fully defended  the  old  doctrine  in  the  old  sense,  the  sense 
in  which  the  catholic  church  has  held  it  from  the 
beginning." 

Mr.  Wesley's  letter  to  Mr.  Benson,  on  the  above  subject, 
is  well  worthy  of  the  reader's  attention  : — 

"  Bristol,  September  I7tk,  1788. 

"  Dear  Joseph, — I  am  glad  you  have  determined  to 
correct  Mr.  Fletcher's  letters.  You  will  observe  that  it  is 
1  dangerous  on  such  subjects  to  depart  from  Scripture, 
either  as  to  language  or  sentiment :'  and  I  believe,  that 
1  most  of  the  controversies  which  have  disturbed  the  church 
have  arisen  from  people's  wanting  to  be  wise  above  what 
is  written  ;  not  contented  with  what  God  has  plainly  re- 
vealed there.'  What  have  you  or  I  to  do  with  that  diffi- 
culty ?  I  dare  not,  will  not,  reason  about  it  for  a  moment. 
I  believe  just  what  is  revealed,  and  no  more  ;  but  I  do  not 
pretend  to  account  for  it,  or  to  solve  the  difficulties  that 
may  attend  it.  Let  angels  do  this,  if  they  can  ;  but  I  think 
they  cannot.     I  think  even  these 

'  Would  find  no  end,  in  wandering  mazes  lost.' 
Some  years  since,  I  read  about  fifty  pages  of  Dr.  Watts's 
ingenious  treatise  upon  the  '  Glorified  Humanity  of  Christ.' 
But  it  so  confounded  my  intellects,  and  plunged  me  into 
such  unprofitable  reasonings,  yea,  dangerous  ones,  that  I 
would  not  have  read  it  through  for  five  hundred  pounds. 
It  led  him  into  Arianism.  Take  care  that  similar  tracts 
(all  of  which  I  abhor)  have  not  the  same  effect  upon  you. 

"  I  am,  with  love  to  sister  Benson,  your  affectionate 
friend  and  brother,  John  Wesley." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN  81 

As  a  proof  that  Mr.  Benson  in  after-life  1  the 

s.iini-  opinion  concerning  the  divine  sonship  B   riour, 

rs,  Octebei  13th,  L789:  "  J  un  moN  and  more  con- 
finned  in  the  belief  thai  on  Lord  m  die  Boo  of  God  be- 
fore his  incarnation,  and  that  the  appeU  en  to  liim 
in  ■  sen-.-  not  applicable  to  any  i  Feature.  I  found  il 
refreshing  to  my  soul  to  view  him  in  this  light,  and  had  a 
very  aomfortable  m  aae  of  his  willing]  re  all  that 
come  to  God  by  him." 

Mr.  Benson  bad  now  laboured  in  the  Methodist  minis- 
try for  about  sight  years  in  an  unman  .  not  from 
any  Popish  or  superstitious  notion  that  he  had  entertained, 
that  there  was  any  moral  obligation  imposed  on  mini 
to  continue  in  a  state  of  celibacy;  or  from  any  idea  that 
be  mu-!  necessarily  be  lees  holy,  or  less  useful,  in  ■  mar- 
ried than  in  i  single  life  ;  but  because  he  knew  thai 
so  important,  on  winch  bis  future  happiness  and  1.- 

SS84  ntially  depended,  required  much  serious  thought, 
and  prayerful  deliberation;  of  I"  a  had  no( 

with  a  person  who  possessed  such  qualifications  as   ha 
conceived  a  help  nice!  for  him  ought  to  possess.      Tor  it 
must  be  universally  allowed,  that  a  minister's  wife  ii 
culiarly  circumstanced,     she  holds  a  conspicuous  place 
in  the  church;  and  duties  devolve  upon  hei  <> 

sponsihility.  She  tS  not  only  hound  to  soothe  the  sorrows 
and    comfort    tin'    lnart    of  her    hnshand.    hut    to   he   in   her 

behaviour  as  becometh  holiness;  to  look  well  to  tin-  ways 

ol  her  household,  and  to  he  a  pattern  <>!  good  works  to  the 

members  of  his  flock;  ami  so  to  demean  herself,  that  the 

ministry  be  not  blamed;  lor  the  delinquencies  of  a  wife 

cannot  fail  to  reflect  great  discredit  on  her  hnshand  ;  and 
many  a  worthy  and  exemplary  man  has  had  his  life  nn- 
hittered  by  the  imprudent,  not  to  say  criminal,  conduct  of 
his  partner. 

Mr.  Benson,  however,  having  now  met  with  a  person 
4* 


82  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

whom  he  deemed  every  way  suitable  for  him  as  a  com- 
panion for  life,  he  was  "joined,"  to  use  his  own  language, 
"in  holy  matrimony  to  Miss   Thompson,  in  the  parish 

church  at  Leeds,  in  the  presence  of  Miss  R ,  and  a 

few  other  select  friends,"  on  January  28th,  1780.  And, 
in  reflecting  on  this  event  a  few  days  subsequently,  he 
says  :  "  I  have  been  much  employed  in  looking  back  upon 
the  way  the  Lord  has  led  me  into  this  near  and  intimate 
union ;  and  I  find  that  I  have  infinite  reason  to  adore  his 
grace  and  goodness  in  the  whole  affair  from  first  to  last ; 
for  divine  Providence  has  visibly  appeared  in  it,  and  again 
and  again  has  God  most  remarkably  answered  prayer.  O 
that  we  could  therefore  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness, 
and  for  his  wonderful  works  unto  the  children  of  men! 
For  his  goodness  to  me  I  can  never  sufficiently  praise 
him." 

The  following  contains  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 
by  Mr.  Benson  to  Mr.  Pawson,  on  the  erroneous  notions 
which  some  entertain  concerning  justification  : — 

"  April  27th,  1780. 
"  My  Dear  Brother, — I  take  the  liberty  of  writing  to 
you  again,  because  I  wish  to  consult  you  upon  a  subject 
which  for  some  days  past  has  exercised  my  mind  no  little. 
In  the  course  of  my  reading,  I  have  been  looking  over  Mr. 
Wesley's  former  Journals  again ;  and  as  I  proceeded  I 
could  scarcely  avoid  drawing  the  conclusion,  that  many  of 
us  have  departed  in  doctrine  and  experience  from  the  faith 
to  which  Mr.  Wesley,  and  others,  then  bore  their  testimo- 
ny. Have  we  not,  to  leave  room  for  a  second  blessing, 
set  justification  too  low,  by  allowing  that  a  person  may 
be  justified  from  all  things,  who  has  neither  the  witness 
nor  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  neither  peace,  sensible  peace 
with  God,  nor  power  over  outward  sin  ?  Or,  if  we  affirm 
that  all  must  have  these  at  first,  as  evidences  and  fruits  of 


Lin;  OF  JOSEPH  83 

justification  ;  Jo  w<   not  allow  many  to  think  they  are  in  a 
justify  a  ho  are  now,  and  hare  been  for 

truly  devoid  oi  I  1  never  received  then  ' 

And  if  so.  do  we  not  mislead  our  In  I  cry,  •  P< 

.  when  there  is  do 

I.   or  devilish  :    to  the   proud. 

to  th<>  cwrnally-minded,  the 

of  the  world,  the  \ndiolv.  And  it  u  .  encourage  BUch,  di- 
rectly or  indirectly,  to  believe  thai  they  are  justified,  and 
of  course  children  of  God;  do  are  not  encourage  th< 
believe  thai  without  holiness  they  may  see  the  !.<•  I  I  or 
certain  it  is,  he  thai  is  ■  child  of  God  bath  everlasting  life. 
If,  therefore,  I  teach  thai  ■  man  may  be  justified,  and  yet 
be  carnal,  unholy,  and  nnren<  tch  thai  ■  man  may 

irnal,  unholy,  and  unrenewed,  and  yel  dwell  « ith  <  lod. 
I  douht  not  that  there  is  i  itrong  hut] 

that  a  man  is  mad.-  i  hah.-  m  Christ  before  h<-  is  a  young 

or  rather;  hut  I  ask.  irhetber  any  are  property  and 
savingly  Christ's  uh<>  have  not  crucified  the  flesh  with  its 
affections  and  lusts  1  whether  th  in  Christ 

•in  condemnation,  who  walk  after  the  flea] 
alter  th<-  Spirit;  who  are  not  new  \   iritof 

life  from  Christ  ■;  having  made  them  fire*  from  the 

law  ot  .sin  and  death  I     Hath  imt  Jesus  isssjred  US,  it"  lie 
shall  mak<  we  shall  he  free  indeed  1     Hath  not 

Paul   confirmed  his  Mai  ion,   affirming, 

-  \\  here  the  -s|»int  of  the  L<>rd  is,  there  is  Libert)    *     And 

hath  not   St.  John  home  the    -  iimmiv.  m  declaring, 

'  He  that    is  horn   <>:  roometh   the  world,  ami  doth 

not   commit   sin  "      And    in  the    mouth  of  those   thr«  I 

ij  is  w  HMt  established,  thai  it  is  thin<,r  than 

manv  imagine  to  he   trulv   justified,  and   made  children  of 
l> 

On  this  doctrine,  lie    subsequently  makes   the    following 
remarks  : — M  j  ha\e   been  profited  to-day  by  reading  some 


84  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  Luther's  sermons,  which  I  think  set  justification  by  iaitli 
in  the  clearest  light,  and  are  particularly  calculated  for  the 
comfort  of  those  who  mourn  under  a  sense  of  sin  formerly 
committed,  or  of  the  imperfections  that  still  cleave  to  them. 
He  discourses  so  sweetly  and  convincingly  concerning  the 
goodness  of  God,  and  encourages  all  lost  sinners  to  put  an 
entire  confidence  therein,  in  such  a  manner,  that  it  is  hardly 
possible  to  resist  his  arguments,  or  to  retain  any  doubts  or 
fears.  I  found  my  faith  greatly  strengthened  by  what  I 
read ;  and  I  saw  more  clearly  than  ever  the  great  import- 
ance of  such  doctrine."  Afterward  he  says :  "I  have 
been  both  instructed  and  comforted  by  reading  more  of 
Luther's  sermons ;  and  I  have  found  a  strong  desire  that 
the  Lord  would  enable  me  to  preach  more  than  ever  in  this 
way ;  which  I  see  to  be  both  according  to  Scripture  and 
experience.  One  of  the  sermons  I  have  read  to-day  is  on 
prayer ;  and  I  stood  condemned  by  it,  having,  alas  !  too 
frequently  prayed  without  faith." 

In  1780,  and  the  three  following  years,  Mr.  Benson  was 
stationed  in  the  Leeds  and  Bradford  circuits.  In  the 
course  of  these  years,  he  frequently  had  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  the  work  of  the  Lord  prosper  in  his  hands.  Even 
when  he  was  ready  to  reproach  himself  for  some  culpable 
defect  in  his  ministry,  the  Lord  often  cheered  him  by  the 
visible  tokens  of  his  approbation.  Being  at  Harwood, 
April  26th,  he  says :  "  This  evening  I  discoursed  upon 
John  xi,  25,  26.  After  I  had  finished,  and  was  ready  to 
conclude  that  my  labour  was  in  vain,  fearing  I  had  chosen 
an  unsuitable  subject ;  a  young  man,  unable  to  contain 
himself,  broke  out  in  praise  to  God  for  shedding  his  par- 
doning love  abroad  in  his  heart.  He  called  upon  us  all  to 
praise  God  in  his  behalf.  While  he  spoke,  which  he  con- 
tinued to  do  for  a  considerable  time,  many  on  all  sides 
were  melted  into  tears,  and  with  him  rejoiced  in  the  Lord 
their  Saviour.     O  who  can  doubt  such  a  testimony,  when 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BBM  S  85 

given  in  Mich  simplicity,  and  in  U  I  un« 

■domed  I    Glory  be  to  t]  <1.  for  those  plain  mswii 

dona  of  thy  pn 

In  the   early  part  of  the  year  1782,  m  the    pVOOpect   St" 

haying  ■  family,  he  entertained  Berkmi  thoughts  of  retir- 
ing from  the  ltiinr.-uit  work,  and  of  establishing  ■  boarding- 
school  lor  the  ssWation  of  youth.     Then 

-    th.it    conspired    to   induce  him  to  meditate  this 
change  in  his  situation.     He  ires  constitution  ally  fond  <>t' 
retirement.     His  ciosel  and  bis  study  were  uv  i 
dear  to  him  ;  and  hence  the  changi  i  Lacidoot  to  the  itine- 
ram  Life,  and  the  promiscuous  society  into  which  h 
lit ■ijin-iiilv  and  unaToidably  thrown,  srere  irksoa 

ible  to  him.     <  >n  this  account,  he  disliked  the  bustle 
ioned  by  the  business  and  engagements  of  our  annual 

coiit<  I  >n  OM  OCCSaioO  In  I  i'i  in  <• 

SI  now  over,  and   1  >hall  return  to  the  -  -  and   omi- 

fori  of  silence  and  retirement     This  burrj 

mt   ;    l!  is  not  good  lor  eithei  my  soul  or  body.      How 

I  have  cause  to  bless  God,  thai  I  have  been  preserved  in 
health  and  peace  \  and  that  1  have  found  some  <>r  the. 
sermons,  especially  those  preached  by  air.  Fletcher,  very 
edifying." 

[t  should  also  be  recollected,  thai  sii  igo,  which 

was  shoal  the  period  n  hired  to,  the  provisions  made  for 
the  married  preai  hn  rs  wen-  bj  do  bm  ans  as  ample  as  they 

are    at    present      The    circuits    wire    wide,   and    the    rides 

long  i  end  absence  from  home,  in  many  cases  for  weeks 
together,  was  unayoidable.     Domestic  snjoyns 

rare,  and  of  short  continuance  ;   ami  where  U  UU*ge 

families,  the  thoughl  that  the  wliole  harden  of  care  and 
government  rested  on  tlie  motlier.  must  to  a  man  oi  sensi- 
tive mind,  and  a  sympathetic  heart,  have  been  extremely 
painful.  And  hesides  this,  tin-  funds  that  were  raised  by 
the  people  lor  the  support  of  those  preachers  who  were 


86  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

worn  out  in  their  Master's  service,  and  for  the  widows  and 
children  of  those  who  had  fallen  in  the  work,  were  very 
inadequate  to  their  necessities.  These  things  induced 
Mr.  Benson  to  think,  not  of  abandoning  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  or  of  burying  his  talent  in  the  earth,  but  of  exer- 
cising it  in  a  more  local  and  circumscribed  sphere  of  ope- 
ration. But  from  a  deep  and  settled  conviction,  that  the 
change  he  meditated  might  involve  consequences  of  a  most 
eventful  character,  and  lead  to  results  that  eternity  alone 
could  disclose,  he  was  constrained  to  pray  for  divine  direc- 
tion, that  he  might  not  miss  his  providential  way.  Hence 
he  says,  April  17th  :  "  I  spent  a  great  part  of  the  forenoon 
in  prayer,  as  for  other  things,  so  especially  for  direction 
whether  I  ought  to  set  up  a  boarding-school,  or  continue 
to  travel.  After  much  prayer  and  consideration,  it  seemed 
clearly  to  be  my  duty  to  continue  to  travel,  at  least  till  my 
family  be  so  large,  if  it  ever  should  be  so,  as  to  render  it 
very  troublesome  to  remove  from  place  to  place.  This 
appeared  to  be  my  duty :  1st.  Because  the  Scripture  di- 
rects every  man  to  abide  in  his  calling,  unless  there  be 
some  good  and  sufficient  reason  for  leaving  it ;  and  if  every 
man,  then  much  more  a  minister,  whose  calling  is  the 
most  useful  and  important  of  any,  and  ought  not  to  be  relin- 
quished without  a  manifest  necessity,  not  only  not  alto- 
gether, which  I  had  no  thought  of  doing,  but  not  in  any 
degree.  2dly.  Because  it  is  probable  it  will  be  better  for 
the  souls  of  both  myself  and  my  wife  to  abide  as  we  are, 
than  to  encumber  ourselves  with  the  care  of  a  boarding- 
school.  And,  3dly,  and  especially.  It  is  not  probable  I 
shall  be  as  useful  in  any  other  situation  whatever,  as  this 
in  which  I  am  at  present.  For  these  reasons,  I  found  my 
mind  quite  determined  to  pursue  my  present  plan,  at  least 
till  there  should  appear  a  greater  reason  for  leaving  it  than 
yet  exists.  But  had  I  not  been  determined,  the  following 
providential  occurrence  would   undoubtedly  have  deter 


L1KK  OF  JOSEPH  BEN0ON.  87 

iniiicd  in*/'  The  i  in  w(ii  i  ban  alluded  to  was  the 
death  of  a  daughter,  who  Iter  her  birth. 

"  I  found,"  says  he.  M  I  desire  lor  her  li\  ing,  and  yet  was 

:*•(!  to  part  with   her,  from  a  conviction  that  sh< 
not  been  born,  nor  wunlil  she  die,  in  vain,  but  would  ijlo- 
ril'y  God  in  a  better  world.      I   knew  that  if  she  lived.  she 

would  be  n>  as  a  certain  care,  and  a  rery  Dneartain  com- 
fort;  tliat  if  aha  died  now,  aha  aronld  glorify  God  in  that 
kingdom  which  is  made  op  of  Utile  children,  and  inch  as 

have  obtained  a  -miliar  disposition.      1  th< ■-■ 

up  to  ( ;<»d  ;  and.  blessed  be  bia  name,  my  a  . 

to  follow  niv  example." 

Mr.  Beneon  had  been  greatly  annoyed,  at  different  I 
by  the  indecanl  cnatom  which  many  Indolent  and  lukewarm 
profeeeora  bad  contracted,  of  coning  m  worahip  alter  the 

semer.     and     e\en     feftef     T 1 1 •  -    -. nilon.    liad    beL'Ull.       '*    \t 

noon,"'  aayi  be,  ••  I  wai  much  gi  •  •  <•  the  gn 

part  <>f  the  congregation  come  late,  both  lor  their  own 
sakee,  and  becauae  they  diatnrbed  the  attention  of  others. 
I  spoke  vny  plainly  to  them,  and  warned  them  of  the 
danger  the]  teemed  to  be  in  of  despuui  ngthe 

word  of  ti«>d;  and  applied  rerj  cloaety  t:;  I  had 

discoursed  upon."     And  a  fen  dayi  aobaequently  he  - 
"lu  the  evening  1  explained  how  true  Chriatiaae  are  the 
epistle  of  Christ,  and  how  we  become  rach.     1  bad  mnch 
liberty  in  speaking,  till  near  the  conclusion,  win  a  m 

weil-dres>ed  itrangeVB,   who    came    in,   .h-eonre.rted  DM  a 
little,  through  a  fear,  that  H  they  had  not  heard  the  - 
nation  of  the  text,  the  application  o\   it  would  appear  Don- 
sense  to  them  :   and  I  was  excei   lingly  burdened  wit', 
lest  by  their  coaaing  in  so  late,  instead  of  receiving  any 
profit,  they  should  be  prejudiced  against  die  truth."    The 

prartire  here  referred  to  cannot  be  too  se\erelv  repre- 
hended: in  some  solitary  instances  it  may  be  excusable  ; 
circumstances  may  occasionally  transpire,   which  render 


88  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

punctuality  at  the  house  of  prayer  impossible.  But  late 
attendance  on  religious  worship  is  generally  the  effect  of 
inattention  and  carelessness,  which,  by  repeated  acts,  has 
grown  into  a  habit.  Hence  many  persons  never  think  of 
quitting  their  habitations  until  the  time  has  arrived  when 
they  should  be  in  the  house  of  God ;  and  by  thus  coming 
in  at  an  unseasonable  hour,  they  interrupt  the  worship  of 
those  who  desire  to  wait  upon  the  Lord  without  distrac- 
tion ;  they  tempt  others  to  sin  by  their  bad  example  ;  they 
embarrass  the  mind  of  the  minister,  and  render  his  sermon 
less  profitable  to  the  congregation.  They  get  little,  if  any, 
good  themselves  ;  and  it  is  very  questionable,  whether 
they  would  not  be  less  culpable  in  abandoning  the  house  of 
God  altogether,  than  in  thus  visiting  it  to  disgrace  them- 
selves,  and  to  interrupt  the  devotions  of  those  who  desire 
to  worship  God  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

September  13th,  1782,  Mr.  Benson  preached  at  Brad- 
ford, from  2  Cor.  iii,  5,  6.  "  From  these  words,"  he 
says,  "  I  warned  the  congregation  against  three  things. 
1.  Against  depending  upon  us  for  help.  2.  Against  despair- 
ing of  help  from  God.  3.  Against  mistaking  the  nature 
of  our  office  as  \  ministers  of  the  covenant.'  4.  Against 
resting  in  the  literal  knowledge  of  all  this,  and  stopping 
short  of  experience."  And  a  few  days  afterward  he  says, 
"  This  evening  I  had  many  hearers  ;  but  for  want  of  hav- 
ing fixed  on  a  subject  beforehand,  I  was  distracted  in  my 
mind,  and  did  not  speak  with  such  comfort  as  I  am  in  the 
habit  of  doing.  It  is  generally  best  with  me,  when  I  can 
fix,  at  least  an  hour*  before,  on  what  to  preach  from  ;  then, 
by  meditation  and  prayer,  I  get  the  subject  impressed  upon 
my  mind ;  and  entering  into  the  spirit  of  it,  I  am  able  to 
treat  it  with  more  clearness  and  power." 

*  Most  preachers,  especially  those  who  are  young  and  inexperienced, 
should  occupy  much  more  time  than  "  an  hour"  in  digesting  a  discourse 
even  upon  the  plainest  text. — Amer.  Ed. 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENfi  89 

On  the  duty  of  fasting,  M  ■  Christian  ordinance,  he 
hai  not  only  declared  bis  approbation,  but  be  exemplified 
it  in  his  practice.     Hence  I  ill  Friday 

4th,   to  leek  the  Lord  by  prayer  and  fasting.     And  he 
1  be  his  name,  I  did  not  seek  him  in  vain, 
lie  drew  my  heart  out  in  thanki  bim  fbf  many 

spiritual  and  temporal;  and  while  I  saw  mj 
utterly  unworthy  of  the  una]  r,  and  a    - 

humbled  before  him,  my  ion]  praised  bim  with  joyful 

O  how   I   longed  to  live  to  h:  .ad  to  be  filled  with 

his  Spin 

December  '.u\  he  availed  bimself  of  an  opportunity 
of  riaiting   his   old   friends  whom  his 

ministry  had  I  i  ignalhy  u 

(  lod.      (  'n    th'-  i 

not  stayed  in  1  r  to-night  in  Tain.     The  Lord 

pleased  to  <ji\e  me  great  freedom  in  preaching. 
The  congregation,  which  was  larj  much 

affected,   and   om     woman    appeared    to 
awakened.     1  convened  a  Little  with  her  in  : 

and  appointed  her  to  meet  DM  in  the  mornnm"      Shi 

come    from   the   country,   and  had  been  in  Um 

attending  the  ministry  of  the  word,  hut  had  heard  it  in  vain. 
Her  father,  who  was  a  pious  man,  had  often  exhorted  her 

iv  the  Miration  of  her  soul,  but  she  hail  hitherto  dis- 
She  met  Mr.  I'm  n>«. ii  the  following 

mornimr  ;   and  now.  says  lie.  -the  Lord  was  SO  phased  to 
awaken  her,  that  she  was  distressed  beyond  measure,  and 

she  resolved  to  give  herself  up  to  God, and  joint 

without  delay." 

April    Kith,     1783,    he    says:     M  I    spent    SOUM   tune   in 
prayer,  and  my  soul  panted  after  the  divine  likeness.      O 
what  an  amiable  and  admirable  thing  it  appeared  to  me  to 
be  holy  '      1  found  it  sweet  to  recount  the  Lords  DM 
and  to  praise  him  for  them  all,  and  particularly  for  calling 


90  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

me  to  the  high  and  holy  office  of  preaching  his  gospel,  and 
for  giving  me  to  see  some  fruit  of  my  labours.  I  cried 
unto  the  Lord  for  a  large  portion  of  his  Spirit,  and  was  not 
without  hope  that  I  should  see  better  days.  I  felt  myself 
perfectly  contented  with  my  situation  and  circumstances, 
and  truly  thankful  that  the  Lord  had  given  me  neither 
poverty  nor  riches.  I  prayed  that  he  would  continue  his 
loving-kindness  to  me,  and  keep  me  disengaged  from  all 
below." 

The  subsequent  pages  in  this  chapter  will  be  occupied 
in  describing  Mr.  Benson's  reflections  on  a  few  of  the 
books  which  he  had  read. 

"  I  spent  the  afternoon  in  the  fields,  reading  the  •  Voy- 
ages of  Columbus,'  and  meditating  upon  the  vanity  of  all 
earthly  things,  and  the  folly  and  madness  of  mankind,  who 
traverse  sea  and  land,  exposing  themselves  to  hardships 
of  every  kind,  and  encountering  dangers  and  deaths,  to  gain 
that  which,  when  gained,  only  imbitters  their  joys,  and  in- 
creases their  misery.  Poor  Cohunbus  discovered  a  new 
world,  but  found  as  little  happiness  in  it  as  in  the  old. 
Cares  and  labours,  want  of  rest,  hunger,  change  of  climate, 
and  various  other  inconveniences,  broke  his  constitution, 
and  ruined  his  health  ;  while  the  ingratitude  of  some,  and 
the  treachery  of  others,  the  unkindness  of  friends,  and  the 
malice  of  enemies,  broke  his  schemes,  disappointed  his 
hopes,  and  rendered  him  truly  miserable  ;  and  so  much 
the  more  in  proportion  to  his  dignity  and  elevation.  O 
what  a  rest,  what  a  felicity,  to  be  delivered  from  covetous- 
ness  and  ambition,  and  to  be  content  in  whatever  circum- 
stances we  are  placed !" 

Having  read  Mr.  Wesley's  reply  to  Dr.  Middleton's 
"  Free  Inquiry,"  Mr.  Benson  says  :  "  It  is  well  written, 
and  very  useful,  especially  the  account  he  gives  in  the 
conclusion,  of  a  Christian,  of  Christianity  and  its  evi- 
dences." 


LIKE  OF  JOSEPH  01 

lerby,  he  says  :  ••  I  hare  sp  nt  this  'lay  in  read- 
ing Bishop  Lowthon  Iseish,  and  compering  tation 
with  the  Hebrew  text  He  I  il  liberties  with  the 
original;  I  think,  rather  too  great  son* 
in  general,  his  alterations  <>t  the  t<-xt.  and  hi^  remarks  upon 
it,  arc  very  just,  and  well  worthy  the  attention  of  tho 
learned." 

( >i  Dr.  Delaney's  ••  Revelation  examined  'our" 

It  is  a  moal  excellent,  and  useful  work,  and 
sufficient  to  convince  any  infidel  of  the  divine  authority  of 
the  Scripture.'1 

January  9th,  he  o  u  I  was  much  profited  this 

morning  by  reading  and  considering  ■  |><  ragal's 

work,  entitled  *Th«  God  in  the  Son]  of  Man;'  a 

book  which  I  never  read  in  rain.  <>  how  amiable  is  the 
religion  which  he  describes!  Bui  how  (ar  am  1  from 
possessing  it  fully  and  constantly 

February  5th:  "Taking  Dp  Joseph    Uleine's    Let 

and   reading  a  lew    pa<o-s  m    tln-m.   I    was   ninth    humM<  <1 

under  t  sense  of  my  iinuuthfulness      I  short  do  1 

com.-  of  the  seal  and  fervency  q1  of  (  tod  '     1 1 

Lord,  stir  up  my  Languid  desires  after  thee,  and  the  - 
tion  of  precious  souls  '" 

I  la\  ing  read  I  )r.  Priestley's  •■  Harmony  of  the  I 
Mr.  Benson  says:  "Bj  'Satan,1  he  understands  every- 
where the  principle  of  evil  personified;  and  by  all  the 
demoniacs  in  the  gospels,  he  understands  lunatics.  He 
gives  many  strange  and  extravaganl  expositions  of  the 
sacred  text,  such  as  il  is  not  easy  tor  any  but  infidels  to 
believe.  What  1  read  produced  many  reflections  in  my 
mind  concerning  the  ignorance  and  weakness  of  many, 
who  arc  capable  of  admitting  the  most  strange  and  t 
opinions  in  matters  relating  to  religion." 

Of  Mr.  Wesley's  abridgment  of  Mbeheim's  M  History 
of  the  Church"   he    lays:    ••  I  have  read  it  with  much 


92  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

pleasure,  and  found  many  parts  of  it  very  profitable.  But 
alas !  the  true  church,  the  company  of  the  faithful,  who 
truly  loved  and  feared  God,  has  in  all  ages  been  compara- 
tively few." 

September  6th  and  7th  he  spent  in  perusing  Saurin's 
"  Sermons  on  the  Attributes  of  God."  "  These  subjects," 
he  says,  "  he  treats  admirably  well ;  with  great  depth  of 
penetration,  and  clearness  of  method :  his  style,  as  far 
as  one  can  judge  from  a  translation,  is  pure  and  easy, 
and  the  whole  composition  above  the  common  class  of 
writers.  By  what  I  have  read  of  him,  I  have  been  much 
edified." 

Having  finished  Xenophon's  Life  of  Socrates,  he  ob- 
serves :  "  I  have  read  the  whole  book  with  pleasure  and 
profit.  It,  however,  pained  me  to  find  in  Socrates,  amidst 
all  his  good  qualities,  an  appearance  of  great  pride  ;  speak- 
ing of  himself,  even  before  his  judges,  as  the  wisest  and 
best  man  upon  earth.  Were  it  not  for  this,  I  should 
admire  him  as  the  best  heathen  that  ever  lived." 

After  having  read  several  chapters  of  St.  Paul's  second 
Epistle  to  the  Corinthians,  in  the  Greek  Testament,  he  says: 
"  I  found  I  had  infinite  cause  to  be  ashamed  of  myself,  that 
after  so  many  years'  profession,  I  was  at  such  a  distance 
from  the  spirit  and  conduct  of  the  apostles  ;  so  wanting  in 
love  to  Christ  and  the  souls  of  men,  and  doing  so  little  to 
save  sinners."  And  subsequently  he  says  :  "  I  think,  I 
never  understood  it  so  well,  nor  relished  it  so  much  before. 
It  is  indeed  in  all  respects  an  admirable  epistle.  It 
breathes,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  the  most  earnest 
concern  for  their  welfare  to  whom  it  was  written ;  and  it 
is  most  admirably  constructed  in  all  its  parts,  so  as  to 
reprove  them  for  their  faults,  and  urge  upon  them  disa- 
greeable duties,  without  giving  them  offence.  Indeed, 
such  a  mixture  of  love  and  plain-dealing  is  nowhere  else 
to  be  found  ;  not  even  in  any  other  parts  of  the  oracles  of 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  93 

God.     And  how  striking  is  the  account  the  ap<  - 
of  his  own  sufferings,  which  yet  he  does  with  nine; 
All!  how  did  it  make  me  ashamed  of  myself,  who  have 
hitherto  done  or  Buffered   nothii ._  ipeak- 

Ulg  !      But  yet  the  Lord  know  s  1;  ;iot  to  live 

in  vain." 

In  the  BUM  month  he  fail  in  the  ori 

language,  the  Books  of  Moses.     Proa  the  book  of  Deute- 

Foavoa  .illy.  he  |  imfort 

and  edification.     M  \\ 'hat  a  wonderful  m 

Mooes!      What  amazniL'  wisdom. 

did  li-  Hon  extraordinary  . 

of  God,  and  bis  lore  to  the  peopl<  b1!     With 

ii  with  their  manners;  and  with  what 
faith  intercede  foe  their  welfare !     With  what  m 

d,  and  deep  1011111111111011  with  him,  waa  bo  faroured! 
And  what  mighty  works  did  the  Lord  enable  bin  to  do! 
And  what  great  thi 

ality  !" 

About  tliis  time.  SmoUett'a  •■  1 1 

into  his  hands.      II.  aceming  that  work 

rtained  and  profited  by  what  1  bare  read. 
My  ideas  oi  God'i  works  have  been  enlarged;  and  nry 
soul  baa  been  drawn  out  in  lhankfulness  to  the  Lord,  for 
baring   cast  my  lot  in  fairer  ground;    when    w<    • 
every  advantage  for  life  and  godliness,  and 
of  the  miseri<  a  to  which  the  inhabitants  of  those  in: 
table  climea  are  subject.'1     And  subsequently    be   i 
"I  thought  much  upon  my  own  situation,  wanderi 
and  fro,  and  noTor  remaining  long  in  any  place.     My  rela- 
tions whom  I  had  left  ;  my  rather,  whom  I  never aaw  after 
1  bade  him  farewell  on  Alston-Moor;  my  mother,  whom  I 
attended  to  her  grave;    my  dec*  -■••r's   children, 

whom,  when  at  home  with  my  parents,  I  was  WOOttO 
niucli ; — they    all   came  into  my   mind,  lad  affected  my 


94  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

heart  with  much  tenderness.  O  my  God,  I  am  a  stranger 
and  a  sojourner  with  thee  !  And  there  is  no  wisdom  but  in 
employing  human  life  to  thy  glory." 


CHAPTER  V. 

The  Deed  of  Declaration  made — Several  of  the  preachers  offended 
— Extracts  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal — Mr.  Wesley  invites  him  to  the 
London  conference — Is  excused  from  attending — Death  of  Mr.  Fletcher 
— Erection  of  George-yard  chapel,  in  Hull — Mr.  Benson  publishes  a 
Scriptural  Essay  on  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul — Mr.  Edmondson's 
account  of  Mr.  Benson's  popularity — Extracts  from  his  journal — He 
attends  the  conference  in  Leeds ;  preaches  there — Is  disappointed  at  not 
going  to  the  circuit  to  which  he  had  been  invited — He  attends  the  con- 
ference at  Bristol,  the  last  at  which  Mr.  Wesley  presided — Account  of 
his  death — The  Birmingham  riots. 

A  circumstance  occurred  about  this  time  which  created 
much  uneasiness,  and  sowed  the  seeds  of  dissension 
among  the  preachers.  Mr.  Wesley  was  now  in  the 
eighty-second  year  of  his  age ;  and  though,  according  to 
his  own  apprehension,  he  was  as  strong  as  he  was  at 
twenty-one,  yet  knowing  that,  according  to  the  course  of 
nature,  he  must  soon  go  the  way  of  all  flesh,  he  felt  it 
necessary  to  make  provision  for  the  perpetuation  of  that 
work  which  God  had  made  him  the  honoured  instrument 
of  originating  and  carrying  on  in  the  world.  Hitherto,  the 
power  of  appointing  the  preachers  to  their  several  circuits 
was  vested  entirely  in  himself.  Nor  did  he  suffer  any 
point  of  doctrine,  or  rule  of  discipline,  to  be  determined  by 
the  popular  vote  :  it  was,  however,  agreed,  that  after  his 
decease  the  power  which  he  possessed  should  be  trans- 
ferred to  the  conference.  But  the  conference,  from  its 
commencement,  had  consisted  merely  of  persons  whom  he 
had  invited  to  meet  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  with  him ; 


LIFE  95 

and,  of  course,  al  b  a]   it   would  cease  lo  i 

term  was  distinctly  defined,  and  t 

lated  who  should  compose  the   i  e.      Thus 

circumstanced,  Mr.  Wesley  was  induct 

•  'I'm.  Dbi  d  0]  I  h  onstituting 

one  hundred  of  the  itinerant  ; 
all  inserted  in  the  deed,  "the  conference  of  the  , 
called  Methodists."     This  deed  was  «  orolled  in  his  d 
t\'>  high  court  ot'  chancery.     The  design  <>f  tl 

ation  to  that  phrase,  "  the  confer 
which  is  inserted  in  th<  «»ur  chapels;  by  virtue 

of  winch  the  persona  thus  nominated  possess  the  pom 
appointing  preachers  to  those  chapels.     In  justification  of 
tins  measure,  Mr.  \\  •  sl<  j  thoul  some  authentic 

fixing  the  meaning  oi  the  term,  the  moment  I 
the  conference  bad  been  nothing.     T  of  the 

proprietors  of  the  land  on  which  our  preaching-hotuM  -  were 
built,  might  have  Beizedthem  for  their  own  use  j  and  there 
would  have  been  none  to  hinder  them  ;  for  the  conference 
would  have  been  nobody,  a  mere  empty  name.     Yon 
then,  in  all  the  pains  1   have  taken  about  this 
deed,   1   have  been  Labouring,  not  for  myself,  (I  havi 

st  therein,)  but  tor  the  whole  body  of  Meth 
onl»r  to  fix  them  upon  such  a  foundation  a>  is  likely  to 
stand  as  long  as  the  sun  and  moon  endure  :  that  is,  if  they 
continue  to  walk  by  faith,  and  show  forth  their  faith  hy 
their  works  ;  otherwise,  I  pray  God  to  root  out  the  memo- 
rial of  them  from  the  earth." 

But  as  many  of  the  preachers1  names  \\  i  re  omitted  in 
this  deed,  and  some  of  them  uriv  persons  •  i  rable 

standing  and  influence  in  the  connection,  they  took  oil. 
remonstrated   strongly,  and   published    a  spirited    aj 
against  it.  in  which  they  represented  Mr.   Wesley's  con- 
duct   in   this    affair   as  unjust,  oppressive,    and  tyrannical. 
Some  of  them  went  SO  fax  as  to  declare,  that  lie  had  no 


96  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

more  authority  to  settle  the  preaching-houses  on  the  con- 
ference, than  he  had  to  settle  the  farmers'  kitchens  or 
barns,  in  which  they  occasionally  preached,  in  a  similar 
manner.  At  the  ensuing  conference,  held  in  Leeds,  July, 
1784,  this  subject  came  under  discussion.  The  Deed  of 
Declaration,  and  the  appeal,  which  had  been  published 
with  a  design  of  raising  a  party  among  the  preachers, 
were  read  and  considered.  Mr.  Wesley  traced  his  power 
from  its  first  rise,  and  calmly  but  firmly  insisted,  that  he 
had  a  right  to  nominate  the  members  who  should  form  the 
conference,  and  to  fix  their  number  ;  and  he  required  of 
those  preachers  who  had  sought  to  enkindle  the  flame  of 
discord  in  the  connection,  to  acknowledge  their  fault,  and 
express  their  sorrow  for  it,  or  else  he  could  have  no  further 
union  with  them.  Mr.  Fletcher,  who  was  present,  with  a 
heart  full  of  benevolence,  entreated  the  brethren,  who  had 
thus  offended,  to  make  the  concessions  required  of  them ; 
and  his  efforts  were  crowned  with  success.  For  says  Mr. 
Benson,  "  Our  brethren  who  were  concerned  in  the  appeal 
rejoiced  our  hearts  by  acknowledging  their  fault,  and  mak- 
ing submission.  In  consequence  of  their  doing  so,  they 
were  admitted  among  their  brethren,  and  appointed  to 
circuits." 

At  this  conference,  Mr.  Benson  was  appointed  to  the 
Sheffield  circuit ;  at  his  entrance  on  Avhich  he  says :  "  I 
praise  God,  he  has  brought  me  and  my  family  safe  to 
Sheffield  ;  where  we  find  a  comfortable  habitation,  and  an 
affectionate  people.  May  he  bless  us  among  them,  and 
crown  my  labours,  and  those  of  my  colleagues,  with 
success." 

It  will  be  seen  from  some  of  the  preceding  parts  of  this 
memoir,  that  Mr.  Benson  had  a  strong,  not  to  say,  an  inor- 
dinate, predilection  in  favour  of  our  national  Establish- 
ment ;  and  though  she  had  refused  to  receive  him  into  her 
bosom,  or  to  allow  him  to  minister  at  her  altars,  yet  he 


LIFE  07 

very  reluctantly  consented  to  sanction  any  measure  that 
would  alienate  the  la  from  the 

Chnrch,  or  prevent  them  from  attending  on  her  ordinances. 
But  haying  taken  a  chapel  in  ■  remote  part  of  the  town, 
he  was  induced,  with  the  concurrence  of  the    pr;1 
membere  of  die  society,  to  establ  daring 

the   boon  appropriated  for  the  fbreno  f  the 

Church  of   England.     His  reaaoni  for  doing  this   . 
"  1st.  rable  distance  from  our  chapel,  it 

will  I  ■  m  of  ipreading  die  work  ;  and.  9dty.    \s 

there  ate  t<>  be  had  in  the  churches,  nor 

room  tor  tin*  people,  and    most.   on  that  account,  lor 
homo  on  the  beat  p:irt  of  tin-  Lord's  day,  it  will  he  a  place 
Where    any   of  our   people    May    attend    who   do   not 

church." 

\  l'  itn  his  journal,  written  during  thil 

the  following  year,  will  serve  to  show  the*  state  <»t  his 

mind  while  he  continued  in  tin-  Sheffield  circuit.     <  >. 

1 9th:  ••  I  garc  myself  op,  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  entirely 

to  prayer;    and  it  was  to  me  a  rcmark'iMv  l>h  s~. 

1    found    my    soul    drawn    on'    with    such    d<  r   the 

favour  and  image  of  God,  thai  my  bt  frequently 

ready  to  faint.      ()  how  I   longed  to  be  made  holy  an  ; 

ful,  to  glorify  God  myself,  and  be  an  instrument  in  his 
hands  of  bringing  others  to  glorify  him'     Over  and 
with  infm!  i  'id  I  dedicate  myself,  with  all  I 

am  and  have,  to  his  sen 

January  30th  he  preached  four  times  ;   and  on  the  I 
ing  of  that  day  he  preached  a  funeral  sermon  on  one  who, 

i,  -•  lived  unblameably,  and  died  comfortably."     The 

day  before  his  death,  he  said  to  his  wife.  *  What  do  you 
think  heaven  h  "'  She  replied,  "1  cannot  tell."  To  this 
lie  answered,  ••  It  must  surely  he  love  j  1  feel  so  much  love 
to  God  in  my  heart,  and  such  comfort  in  that  love,  that  I 
cannot  but  think  heaven  must  be  of  the  same  nature." 

5 


08  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

February  10th  he  says:  "I  have  enjoyed  much  peace 
of  mind  these  four  days,  and  often  liberty  of  access  to  God 
in  prayer.  But  in  and  through  all,  I  have  found  it  a  trial, 
especially  yesterday  and  to-day,  to  be  so  much  from  my 
wife  and  children.  May  the  Lord  sanctify  this  trial  to 
me,  till  he  shall  be  pleased  to  remove  it !  And  may  he 
grant,  if  it  is  his  will  that  I  should  thus  wander  about,  and 
if  he  sees  that  I  shall  be  more  useful  in  this  manner  of 
life  than  any  other,  that  I  may  never  give  it  up  to  get  rid 
of  the  trial !" 

February  13th  he  again  preached  four  times,  and  was 
graciously  assisted  in  explaining  and  applying  Rom.  ii,  4. 
"  Indeed,"  says  he,  "  we  have  much  cause  to  be  thankful, 
that  the  Lord  is  carrying  on  his  work  rapidly  among 
us  ;  many  being  awakened,  and  some  justified,  every  week. 
Every  Sunday  I  have  been  in  town,  for  some  time,  I  have 
joined  to  trite  society  four  or  five  members,  and  all 
deeply  awakened.  May  this  blessed  work  go  on."  And 
in  this  respect  the  desire  of  his  heart  was  granted  him  ; 
for  in  taking  an  account  in  July  of  the  number  of  members 
in  society  at  Sheffield,  he  found  an  increase  of  two  hun- 
dred persons.  "  Many,"  he  observes,  "  have  died  ;  some 
are  removed  ;  and  not  a  few  have  backslidden.  However, 
blessed  be  God,  we  have  a  considerable  increase." 

This  year  the  conference  was  held  in  London  :  Mr. 
Wesley  had  invited  Mr.  Benson  to  attend,  but  his  love  for 
quietness  and  retirement  induced  him  to  write  a  letter 
praying  to  be  excused,  which  request  was  granted  him  ; 
but,  that  the  circuit  might  be  fairly  represented,  Mr. 
Rhodes,  one  of  his  colleagues,  was  sent  in  his  stead.  But 
though  he  remained  at  home,  yet  he  had  no  disposition  to 
indulge  himself  in  indolent  repose,  or  to  relax  in  his  efforts 
for  the  promotion  of  the  everlasting  happiness  of  his  fellow- 
creatures  ;  for  he  was  now,  if  possible,  in  labours  more 
abundant. 


LIFE  Of  JOSEPH  BBNMM  i>9 

July  2  1th  be  says  :  ••  I  hare  b»  a  enabl  d  to  preach  four 
nines  to-day,  with  liberty  and  comfort,  besides  rea 
prayers  end  meeting  the  society  ;  and  I  bare  enjoyi  d  peace 
of  mind,  and  confidence  in  die   Lord.      after  the  Is 
of  the  d.'iv  1   visited  ■  dying  woman,  and  bad  ssaaoa  to 
bope  dial  she  was  ■.wakened  and  would  find  met* 
tembei  8th  be  writ*  -  ■  rday  snd  to-day  I  I 

up  myself  chiefly  to  meditation  and  prayer,  and  have  found 
inv  mind  much  humbled  and  much  comforted.     The 

j<(  t  of  my  meditation  was  chiefly  the  happiness  and  glory 

of  the  heavenly  world,  and  the  character  and  qualifications 

Ot*  those  who  shall  he  admitted  there.  ()  what  delightful 
views   1    had    of  the    blesajed   world,  and    how  did   my  soul 

hunger  and  thirst  after  right  i  the  bnaeaj  of 

God, the  divine  nature'      I  think  1  DOVCC  found  BjnjrSjoal  in 
■  happier  or  more  serions  frame,  or  more  deeply  enj 
with  God  in  prayer,  that  I  mighi  lire  more  to  his  glory 

than  I  had  ever  done,  and  be  filled  with  all  his  fnlne^ 

trust  the  Lord  will  confirm  dm  fan  ■  state  of  i 
himself,  and  that  1  shall  begin  to  live  ind<  I 

October  7th:   "This  evening  I   was  orach  refreshed, 
while  risiting  Peter  Dewsbury}a  young  man  wh 
he  dying  of  i  Ponssmiptiou,  but  in  ■  rery  bmnvj 

mind.      lie  was   tin     first  of  the   family  that   became   reli- 
gions:   and  lie  was  an    instrument  in  the  lian  K  ofGod  of 
turning  his  father  and  mother,  and  two  hrothers  and 
ter,  from  the  error  of  their  WUTS." 

November    1st    be    SSys:     '•()    how    lias    pjy    soul    been 

humbled  in  the  dnst '     And  what  great  ii. 

found  to  the  Lord  in  prayer,  and  confidence  that  he  would 
hear  and  answer  me!  Indeed.  1  had  such  a  view  of  his 
attributes,  his  wisdom,  power,  and  goodness,  that  it  seemed 
impossible  that  he  should  deny  me  any  tiling  which  he 
knew  would  be  good  for  me.  At  the  same  time  I  could 
not  desire  any  thing,  but  that  his  will  might  he  done   in 


100  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

me  and  by  me,  that  I  might  glorify  him,  and  serve  my 
generation." 

May  26th,  1786  :  "  I  have  enjoyed  peace  of  mind  these 
few  days,  and  have,  I  hope,  had  a  single  eye  to  the  glory  of 
God  in  every  thing  ;  but  yet  I  have  not  found  much  near- 
ness to  God,  nor  comfort  in  communion  with  him  ;  chiefly, 
I  believe,  through  my  devoting  so  little  time  to  secret  de- 
votion, and  employing  my  thoughts  too  much  upon  the  ex- 
ternals of  my  duty.  O  how  hard  I  find  it  to  attend  to  every 
part  of  my  duty  as  a  shepherd  of  a  flock,  and  yet  keep  my 
mind  free  for  intercourse  with  God !"  Dissipation  of  mind 
can  be  prevented  only  by  watchfulness  and  prayer.  The 
heart  mustbe  kept  with  all  diligence,  and  guarded  by  constant 
circumspection  against  the  encroachments  of  evil.  Even 
lawful  things  may  be  unlawfully  pursued ;  and  the  solemn 
services  of  the  sanctuary  be  allowed  to  engross  the  affec- 
tions, and  be  rested  in  as  the  end,  instead  of  being  em- 
ployed as  the  means  of  leading  us  up  to  God.  We  may 
walk  about  Zion,  tell  her  towers,  mark  well  her  bulwarks, 
and  consider  her  palaces  ;  but  into  her  courts  we  may  sel- 
dom enter,  and  to  the  fire  that  burns  on  her  altars  never 
approach:  our  souls  may  be  frigid  and  unfruitful,  unaffected 
by  the  solemn  realities  which  we  continually  urge  on  the 
attention  of  others.  There  may  be  a  mere  official  piety,  a 
mechanical  performance  of  religious  duties,  and  yet,  while 
all  the  exterior  forms  of  evangelical  worship  are  preserved, 
the  heart  may  remain  nearly,  if  not  wholly,  destitute  of 
the  power  of  godliness.  But  against  this  state  of  formality 
and  lukewarmness  in  religion,  Mr.  Benson  was  continually 
on  his  guard  ;  and  though  he  painfully  felt  a  sense  of  his 
unworthiness,  and  was  always  ready  to  acknowledge  him- 
self an  unprofitable  servant,  yet  he  continually,  in  a  greater 
or  less  degree,  maintained  fellowship  with  God,  and  walk- 
ed in  the  light  of  his  countenance.  Two  years  had  now 
elapsed  since  he  was  appointed  to  Sheffield,  and  during 


LIFE  Of  JOSEPH  BENS  101 

that  period  then  had  been  i  clear  incn  we  ofmernbei 
that  circuit  of  three  hundred  rod  fifty:  this 
of  consolation  to  1ms  own  mind,  rod  ■  matter  lor  devout 
gratitude  to  God,  who  hi  I  hi^  word  to  hare  free 

course  rod  be  glorified.     The  confer  -  held  this 

year (1786)  in  Bristol;  the  same  reasons  thai  induced  Mr. 

BeneOfl  to  remain  in  his  circuit  during  the  sitting  of  the 

last  conference,  operated  at  powerfully  upon  his  nun 
present.     u  I  am  thankful  to  the  Lord,*1  h<  dim  I 

had  i  good  excuse  tor  not  going  e  ;  finding 

much  more  pleasure  rod  profit  in  retirement!  than  in  the 

lmrrv  and  hustle  of  a  general  meeting  of  the  prea< 

In  taking  U  account  of  those  who  had  died  duriiej  tip 

ceding  year,  the  conference  bad  d  the  nan* 

the  renerable  and  sainfc  d  \  tear  of  Mad.  i  bad  finish- 

ed his  course  August  l  ith.  IT-.).     In  answer  to  the 

tion,  M  Who  have  (lied  tSU  J  <  SI    "    Mr.  W  esley  had  -imply 

said,  in  hia  peculiarly  laconic  manner,  '-John  Pleti 

— a  pattern  of  all  hoiii  i  paralleled  in  ■ 

century.91 

At  this  conference   Mr.  Benson  ted  to  the 

Hull  circuit,  which  then  included  the  tract  of  country  which 

now  forms  the  Hull.  Beverley,  Patrington,  Pocklington, 

and  Hornsea  circuits.  There  were  at  that  time  hut  two 
itinerant  preachers  to  visit  all  these  places,  and  nine  hun- 
dred members  n  society:  now,  on  the  aaaae  ground, there 
are  twehre  preachers,  and  four  thousand  live   hundred  and 

forty-seven  members;  so  mightily  lias  the  word  of  God 

glOWS  and  multiplied.  Mr.  BettSOO  w a-  Stationed  in  the 
Hull  circuit  for  three  years  m  BUCCeSSioU  ;  a  OSSge,  which, 
however  common  at  present,  was  then  almost  wholly  un- 
known.     Mr.    Wesley    was    in    all    probability   induced   to 

sanction  this  measure  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Benson's 
great  popularity,  and  extensive  usefulness,  in  Hull.  Mr. 
Bdmondson,  who  was  his  colleague,  says.  M  There 


102  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

several  eminent  ministers  at  Hull  in  those  days  :  the  prin 
cipal  were,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Milner,  author  of  the  '  History 
of  the  Christian  Church ;'  the  Rev.  Mr.  Barker ;  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Garwood;  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lambert,  a  Dissenting 
minister.  They  were  all  popular  preachers  ;  but  Mr.  Ben- 
son's popularity  far  exceeded  that  of  any  other  minister. 
All  parties  allowed  Mr.  Benson  to  be  the  ablest  divine  in 
the  town.  When  he  preached,  the  chapel  was  crowded 
to  excess,  and,  by  his  instrumentality,  many  were  turned 
from  Satan  unto  God.  His  fame  extended  to  all  the  neigh- 
bouring circuits,  both  in  Yorkshire  and  Lincolnshire  ;  and 
that  person  thought  himself  highly  honoured  who  heard 
him  preach.  It  was  the  general  opinion  that  he  was  the 
greatest  preacher  in  England :  and  I  venture  to  say,  he 
was  as  good,  and  as  useful,  as  he  was  great." 

In  addition  to  this,  he  was  engaged  in  superintending 
the  erection  of  a  new  chapel  in  George-yard,  Lowgate  ; 
and  his  presence  could  not  well  be  dispensed  with  until 
the  affairs  of  that  chapel  were  completed.  It  was  opened 
for  divine  worship,  by  Mr.  Benson,  December  23d,  1787, 
by  a  sermon  which  he  preached  from  Haggai  ii,  9.  The 
attendance  on  this  occasion  was  so  large,  that  hundreds 
could  not  obtain  admission.  "  A  great  solemnity,"  says 
he,  "  seemed  to  rest  upon  the  congregation.  It  seems  as 
if  I  had  got  a  burden  off  my  mind,  with  which  it  had  been 
oppressed  for  weeks."  The  following  Lord's  day  he 
preached  in  the  same  chapel,  from  2  Corinthians  iv,  3 : 
11  But  if  our  gospel  be  hid,  it  is  hid  to  them  that  are  lost." 
These  sermons  were  subsequently  published,  and  are  now 
in  possession  of  many  of  our  readers. 

But  though  the  concerns  of  the  new  chapel  engaged 
much  of  his  attention,  yet  by  redeeming  time  he  was  en- 
abled to  perfect,  and  prepare  for  the  press,  "A  Scrip- 
tural Essay  toward  the  Proof  of  an  immortal  Spirit  in 
Man."     This  was  designed  as  a  refutation  of  Dr.  Priest- 


LIFE  1  103 

;    materia,  ..•   doctor's   theory 

that  m  . iiLf  :   thai 

Mil.  tiic  principle  of  perceptioD  and  ;'. 
substance  distinct  from  the  body,  but  merely  the  result  of 
corporeal   organization,  and,  of  i 
when  the  body  diss,     In  opposition  to  tins  doctrine, 

-   that  tin     - 
distinct  from  the  bodj .  and  that  it 

—that  it  Bnall  p,  or  !><•  in 

inactivity,  bul  be  either  bappy  "r  i  —ami  that  the 

souls  of  the  faithful  an-  with  Jesus.     In  proof  of  them 
anions,  h<-  argues  thai  the  doctrine  of  man's  immortality 
has  prevailed  in  all  oountrii  i  from  time  immemorial  ;  that 
though  there  s  e  in  our   I 

the  immortality  of  the  soul,  yet  that  tin 
to  the  generally  I  opinion,  thai  i  Id  survive 

the  tomb.     1 J  nt  he  makes  bis  tp\ 

I  rod,  and  enters  largely  into  the  Scriptural  . 
of  this  doctrine,  drawn  from  several  passages  of  tin 

incut,  but  particularly   from  the  testimonies  of  the 
New  Testament,  where  life  and  immortality  ar< 
to  light  by  the  gospel.     Having  acquainted   Mr.  \\  • 
with  tin-  outlines  of  hia  argument,  he  received  froi 
venerable  man  tins  reply  :  "  I  like  your  thoughts  upon  ma- 
terialism ;  as  1  doubt  not  I  should  those  on  tin 

i  ace  of  tin-  soul.     It  will  be  best  to  print  at  Hull  or 
^  ork,  it  you  can  print  as  cheap,  and  :. 
should  there  not  he  a  thousand  copies  !     Then  you  will 
reserve  a  hundred   of  them   lor  yourself.'1      Mr.   IMuiond- 

••  When  the  pamphlet  on  the  Immateriality 
Lmmortalit)  of  the  Soul  .-.  Mr.  B 

announced  it  in  the  pulpit,  hut  hoped  I 
persona  of  superior  understandings,  would  pun 
it  was  rather  above  the  capacity  of  common  readers.    This 
npliciry, but  it  produced  an  effect  which 


104  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

he  had  not  anticipated;  for  nearly  all  his  hearers  purchased 
the  work,  every  one  thinking  that  he  had  a  superior  under- 
standing. This  caused  a  smile  among  a  few  ;  but  all  were 
quite  sure  that  the  author  meant  what  he  said." 

The  following  are  quotations  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal, 
kept  during  his  continuance  in  the  Hull  circuit. 

"  September  10th,  1786.  Last  night  and  this  morning 
I  preached  at  Hull,  and  was  favoured  with  the  divine  pre- 
sence both  times,  especially  in  the  morning,  when  many 
wept,  while  I  was  showing  how  we  are  reconciled  to  God 
by  the  body  of  Christ's  flesh,  offered  up  to  God  for  us.  In 
the  forenoon  I  rode  to  Beverley,  where  I  preached  at  noon 
and  at  night,  and  met  all  the  classes.  At  both  times  the 
congregations  were  large,  and  much  affected,  especially 
at  noon,  while  I  explained  and  applied  1  Cor.  iii,  11-13. 

"  September  23d.  On  Thursday  night  I  preached  at 
Hull.  My  mind  has  been  generally  kept  in  peace,  and  I 
have  sometimes  enjoyed  a  nearness  to  the  Lord.  But 
alas  !  I  am  indeed  always  an  unprofitable  servant.  O  that 
I  were  directed  and  enabled  to  live  more  to  the  glory  of 
God,  and  to  make  a  better  use  of  my  precious  time  !"  Re- 
ferring to  a  painful  complaint  with  which  he  was  visited, 
he  says  :  "  I  bless  God,  I  have  found  a  measure  of  patience 
under  the  affliction ;  and  I  hope  he  will  so  sanctify  it  to 
me,  as  to  make  it  a  lasting  blessing.  In  my  greatest  ex- 
tremity, one  night,  when  I  could  not  get  a  moment's  sleep, 
I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  afforded  me  relief ;  and  from 
that  time  I  began  to  recover.  O  that  I  may  call  upon  the 
Lord  as  long  as  I  live  !" 

"  November  20th.  This  evening  I  was  happy  to  find 
notes  sent  up  to  pray  for  one  in  distress  of  mind,  and  re- 
turn thanks  for  two  that  had  obtained  justifying  faith  under 
the  word.  I  hope  these  are  drops  before  the  shower.  May 
the  Lord  stir  us  up  to  pray  for  a  revival  of  his  work." 

January  1st,  1787,  in  the  renewal  of  the  covenant  at 


Lira  OF  JOSEPH  105 

Hull,  he  says :  u The  euiiety  —1  nw  i   pre- 

sent;  and  I  think   it   was   the   Meet    leleBB   and   iff 

meeting  I  ever  attended.     The  Lord  a 

scut,  and  tin-  whole  congregation  seemed  to  melt  and  bow 
him  in    r  .  humility,  and  love.      Then 

w  prying  oa  all  tides,  and  then  a  ig.    Many 

found  it  the  in  thing  time  they  had  erei  i 

rnntt.l,  and  did,  indeed,  renew  their  covenant   frith 

liy  own  soul  •  y  comforted;  and  I  trust  I  shall 

tabled   more   than  oTei  to  defote   myself  to   I 

,dorv." 

••  PebfBsry  3d.  I  tpenl  tins  forenoon  in  rending  Mr. 
Fletcher's  Life,  published  by  Mr.  Wesley.  I  em 
thai  Mr.  Wesley  ess  obtained  to  much  information 
corning  Mr.  Fletcher,  and  thai  h<-  has  furnished  us  with 
such  an  edifying  and  useful  account  of  him.  I  have  found 
my  ton]  greatly  blessed  in  perusing  it ;  tnd  indeed  1  here 
cause  to  l>c  bumbled,  considering  how  Bur  short  1  am 

of  Ins  character,  and,  what  it  more,  how  little  1  ha\c  pro- 
fited by  what  1  bare  known  of  him,  end  seen  m  him, 
since  the  year  1768,  in  which  we  1"  c  one  acquainted  with 
seen  ether.     <>  thai  I  could  now  begin  to  follow   him  as 

he  followed  (  hrist  ! 

M  February  fhk   Blessed  be  the  Lord,  I  a  ding- 

•iiforted  this  morning,  while  reading  t  termon  w 
by  Mi.  \\  alker,  of  Truro.     1  taw  clearly  that,  through  the 
tuneionsnesi  of  my  temper,  and  the  accusations  of  the 

enemy,  1   had    frequently  called    the    safety  of  my  KBta    in 

question,  and  douhted   and  feared  without   reason.      I 
that  1  had   both  dishonoured  CoA,  and   hurt  my  own  soul, 

easting  myself  down,  and  going  on  heavily,  when  I  ought 

tO  have  rejoiced  m  the  Lord.      I  was,  and  blessed  b< 
am,  firmly  persuaded  that  I  am  the  Lord's,  his  servant,  ami 
child,  and  an  heir  of  his  kingdom ;  and  I  can  rejoice  in 
hope  of  his  glory. 


106  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

"  October  23d.  Being  harassed  with  various  reasonings 
with  respect  to  my  want  of  liberty  in  preaching  last  night, 
and  being  much  distressed  on  that  account,  I  could  not 
sleep  till  about  five  o'clock  this  morning,  after  which  I 
slept  about  an  hour,  and  then  arose  so  afflicted  in  body, 
and  depressed  in  mind,  that  I  was  fit  for  neither  reading, 
nor  any  other  means  of  grace.  Alas  !  how  does  this  rea- 
soning disposition  rob  me  of  my  peace  and  comfort !  And 
surely  it  proceeds  from  pride  ;  otherwise,  why  am  I  not  as 
much  cast  down  when  another  is  straitened  as  when  I  am 
myself  1  If  my  concern  was  purely  for  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  good  of  souls,  methinks  I  should  be  as  much  dis- 
tressed when  others  want  liberty,  as  when  I  want  it  myself. 
And  is  my  reputation  yet  my  idol  ?  God  have  mercy  upon 
me,  and  deliver  me !"  There  are  few  ministers  of  the 
gospel  who  cannot  sympathize  with  the  subject  of  this 
memoir.  How  many  have  been  painfully  embarrassed  in 
the  pulpit ;  whose  ideas  have  been  thrown  into  the  utmost 
confusion ;  whose  power  of  utterance  has  been  almost 
totally  suspended ;  while  their  tongues  have  seemed  to 
cleave  to  the  roof  of  their  mouth,  and  they  have  been  ready 
to  hide  their  heads,  and  blush  for  the  reputation  of  their 
characters !  It  must  be  allowed,  that  there  are  seasons 
when  the  self-accusations  of  ministers  are  justly  merited ; 
when  their  confusion  is  of  their  own  creation,  and  wholly 
attributable  to  themselves :  when,  for  instance,  their  pul- 
pit preparations  have  been  neglected ;  when  they  have 
trusted  too  implicitly  to  their  own  resources,  and  have  not 
sought  the  promised  aid  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  or  when  they 
have  been  swayed  by  improper  motives,  and  loved  the 
praise  of  man  more  than  the  praise  of  God.  In  such  cases 
it  cannot  be  matter  of  surprise,  if  they  are  deprived  of  that 
liberty  in  the  pulpit  with  which,  on  former  occasions,  they 
have  been  graciously  indulged.  God  frequently  humbles 
men,  by  letting  them  eat  the  fruit  of  their  doings.     He 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEKSOM  107 

slmws  them  ihrir  own  weakneae,  by  withdrawing  his 
strength   from  them.      Tin-   weapons  i  I   are 

M  mighty,"  bat  it  is only  u  through  God."  His  agency  alone 
can  midei  these  wn  re  in  polling  down  strong 

holds,  casting  down  imaginations,  and  every  high  tiling 
that  exalteth  it*  at  the  knowli  God.     How 

far  thai  depn  ision  <>:  mind,  reaoHing  from  •  ennenfl 

in  Ins  public  work,  of  which  Mr.  Benooa  complaini 

inepring  of  pride,  it  would  be  preeumptoeos  in  ns  n 
affirm.     'That   he  watched  with   godl)  r  Ins 

own  heart,  is  evident.  He  often  accoaed  limeelf  of  being 
actuated  by  the  most  unworthy  motiree.  \it«r  baring 
preached  at  Le<  Is,  where  he  went  on  a  visit,  he  I 

was  ftur  from  being  satisfied  with  my 
had  offended  God,  l>\  having  it  too  much  al  heart 
well." 

This  y<ar  (1789)  he  attended  the   conference,  which 
was  held  in  Leeds.     Haying  to  remove  from  Hull,  he  folly 
expected,  and  greatly  desired,  t<>  be  stationed  at  Mai 
tar,  where  some  of  the  principal  friends  had  affectionately 
ami  earnestly  invited  him.     Tins  ima  known  to  Mr  w 
ley,  who  offered  no  objection  against  it;    but  when  the 
.stations  were   read  in  the  conference,    M;    Penaon   Sras 
greedy  surprised   and  disappointed   to   nod   etneseaf  s,.t 
down  for  the  Jfork  circait.     His  friends 
ensoog  whom  he  had  Laboured  when  thai  place  formed  a 
part  of  the  Manchester  circuit,  gn  ;itl\  deaired  ins  appoint- 
ment there;     hut    lie  Objected  to   «u>  n>  »  1 1 i ■  ■  -.    cir- 
cuits,   i  hietly    because    he    thought    that    neither   of  them 
afforded   a  field  suehciently  large   for  his  Labours.     Hut 
though  Mr.  Wesley  refused  to  Listen  to  ins  request,  in  ap- 
pointing him  to  Manchester,  yet,  as  be  consented  to  go  to 
Binningham,  he  was  set  down  as  the  Muuatanl  of  thai  cir- 
cuit; having  lor  his  colleagues  Messrs.  Snowden,  Th/ 
bar,  and  Smith.     Tliere  were   few  of  the  preachers-  more 


108  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

cordially  esteemed  by  Mr.  Wesley  than  Mr.  Benson,  or  on 
whose  service  he  set  a  higher  value  ;  and,  as  a  proof  of  it, 
he  generally  acceded  to  his  wishes,  in  reference  to  his  ap- 
pointment to  certain  circuits :  but  there  were  seasons 
when,  for  the  general  good,  he  deemed  it  right  to  interpose 
his  authority,  and  appoint  the  preachers  to  those  spheres 
of  labour  for  which  their  talents  were  peculiarly  adapted, 
and  where,  in  all  human  probability,  they  would  be  most 
useful :  and  there  were,  unquestionably,  in  Mr.  Wesley's 
mind,  reasons  of  sufficient  importance  to  justify  him  in 
thwarting  Mr.  Benson's  purposes,  and  appointing  him  to 
the  Birmingham  circuit  rather  than  to  that  of  Stockport  or 
Manchester. 

During  the  sittings  of  the  conference,  he  delivered  an 
appropriate  and  powerful  discourse  to  a  mixed  and  crowd- 
ed congregation  of  preachers  and  people,  from  Ezekiel 
xxxiii,  7-9  :  in  which  he  showed,  1.  The  reason  and  pro- 
priety of  the  representation  ;  why  the  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel are  called  watchmen.  2.  What  is  especially  the  office 
and  duty  of  ministers  under  this  character,  as  here  repre- 
sented. 3.  The  consequence  of  neglecting,  or  fulfilling, 
their  duty.  He  then,  in  the  application,  made  a  faithful 
and  a  heart-searching  appeal  to  the  wicked.  **  Have  you 
taken  the  warning,  ye  fornicators,  ye  adulterers,  ye  effemi- 
nate, ye  thieves,  ye  covetous,  ye  drunkards,  ye  revilers,  ye 
extortioners,  ye  unbelievers,  ye  formalists,  ye  lukewarm 
professors,  ye  slothful,  ye  unregenerate,  ye  unholy,  ye 
backsliders  ?"  In  reflecting  on  this  discourse,  he  said, 
"May  the  Lord  enable  me  to  be  what  I  have  recommended 
others  to  be, — a  faithful  and  diligent  watchman." 

August  2d,  after  having  preached  in  the  afternoon  at 
Hunslet,  to  a  large  congregation  in  the  street,  he  hastened 
to  Leeds,  in  expectation  of  hearing  Mr.  Wesley  ;  but  find- 
ing hundreds  of  persons  who  could  not  gain  admission  into 
the  chapel,  many  of  whom  had  come  from  several  miles 


I. II  i:  Til  BKN8)  \  109 

out  of  the  country,  he  stood  up  In  the  open  air,  and  preach- 
ed from,  ••  Strii  in  a'  th- 
says  he,  "  that  the  divin<  aded  the  word,  and 

that  it  was  made  an  instrument  of  alarming  and  stirring  up 
the  minds  of  maiiv." 

The  Birmingham  circuit,  to  which  Mr   Be— on  n  m  this 
ippowted,  embraced  nol  only  a  I  .  mntry, 

in  which  tereral  circuits  are  now  formed,  but  s  risl  bbms 
of  population, — and  i  population  deeply  immersed  in  igno- 
rance and   abandoned  I 

e  and  brutal  practii  i ally  thai  of  bull-baiting, 

were  resorted  to,  as  matt  rs  ><\  wanton  amusenu  at.    1 1 
Mr.  Benson  mentions,  that  after  he  had  Broached  afl  Wed- 
nesbury,  in  the  morning  and  afternoon!  (and 
mil  was  <>n  the   Lord's  day.)  he  set  <>ui  f«>r  West-Brom- 
wich  ;  but  the  crowds  of  people  that  d  to- 

gether, to  see  a  hull  halted,  wore  so  greet, thai  .■ 
difficulty  he  could  pass  through  the  street;  and  when  ba 
returned  to  Wedneabury,  he  says,  ••  I  found  thu 
inhabitants  about  the  same  devilish  sport;  viz.,  hull-hait- 
\  fen  people,  however,  tame  to  the  chapel;  and  I 
found  a  measure  of  comfort  in  speaking  t<>  them." 

March  18th,  1790,  he  rode  to  8tourport,  to  usee!  Mr. 
\\  eslej .     ••  We  found  him.*'  says  he,  "  much  strongec  and 
better,  considering  that  he  is  in  his  eighty-eeventh 
than  we  expected.     lh>  sight   is  tire,  thai  he  is 

much  at  s  toes  in  giving  out  hymns,  m  rending  lus  lent, 
and  in  referring  to  any  portion  of  Scripture.     In  conn 
tion  he  iseme  much  as  nMial.  livery  and  ssAeraahung.n 
u The  following  evening,"  nays  Mr.  Benson,44 he  ptenohed 
at.  Birmingham  to  s  crowded  congregation,  from,  '  Awake, 

thou   that   sleepest,  arise   from   the  dead,   and  Christ  shall 

give  thee  liuht.'"  He  adds:  ••  I  hope  some  have  been 
profited  by  what  they  have  hoard.  As  to  myself,  I  seldom 
receive  any  profit  in  such  times  of  hurry  and  dissipation.'' 


110  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Madeley,  May  26th,  he  says :  "  I  rode  hither  to  see 
the  pious  widow  of  my  much-esteemed  friend,  Mr.  Fletcher. 
I  found  her,  if  possible,  more  devoted  to  God,  and  filled 
with  his  love,  than  ever.  And  what  a  pattern  for  good 
works,  and  those  of  all  kinds,  done  to  the  bodies  and  souls 
of  men !  What  a  couple  were  they !  And  how  mysterious 
the  providence  that  separated  them !  I  preached  in  the 
evening  in  the  barn  she  has  fitted  up  for  a  preaching- 
house.  It  will  hold  about  three  hundred  hearers  ;  it  was 
thoroughly  filled,  and  we  had  a  refreshing  season  together. 
The  Rev.  Messrs.  Home  and  Gilbert  were  with  us,  and 
Mr.  Hill,  a  brother  of  Sir  Richard  Hill." 

In  the  course  of  this  year  he  was,  on  certain  occasions, 
greatly  discouraged  in  his  work ;  and,  at  times,  he  had  to 
endure  much  bodily  affliction  ;  when  he  was  constrained 
to  exclaim,  "  Alas  !  what  poor  creatures  are  we,  when  God 
lays  his  hand  upon  us  !  How  true  it  is  that  all  flesh  is 
grass !  Lord,  prepare  me  for  my  latter  end,  and  sanctify 
my  afflictions  to  me."  But  his  labours,  and  those  of  his 
colleagues,  were  crowned  with  the  divine  blessing  ;  so 
that,  at  the  close  of  the  year,  they  had  a  clear  increase  to 
the  societies,  after  deducting  the  deaths,  backsliders,  and 
removals,  of  one  hundred  and  forty  members. 

The  conference  was  held  this  year  (1790)  in  Bristol. 
Mr.  Wesley  presided  at  it  for  the  last  time ;  but  he  has 
left  no  record  concerning  it :  from  the  fourth  of  July  until 
the  twenty-ninth  of  August  no  entry  is  made  in  his  Jour- 
nal. Mr.  Benson,  however,  says  :  "  Our  conference  has 
been  very  peaceable  ;  and  the  preachers  have  used  much 
freedom,  and  apparent  uprightness,  in  speaking  to,  and  re- 
proving, each  other."  The  business  was  concluded  about 
noon,  August  4th,  when  the  preachers  took  the  Lord's  sup- 
per together.  Mr.  Benson  says  :  "  I  found  it  a  profitable 
time :  my  soul  was  much  drawn  out  after  God,  and  I  was 
favoured  with  great  nearness  to  him.     I  gave  up  myself 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH   :  111 

afresh  to  liiin,  and  I  tni^t  thai  he  will  more  this 

'haii  the  last.      May  he  endow  mi'  with  a  larger  mea- 
sure ot' his  Spirit."      lit-  WBI  reappointed  tor  Kirminsrham 

this  year;  but  i  few  days  ait.  r  Ins  lUma  from  Bristol  lie 

sustained  another  painful  bereavement  in  his  family.      His 

ywangeet  child,  who  had  wtMemd  oalmnory  foi  many 
weeks,  md  w\  sdoeed  nearly  to  ■  skeleton,  died 

August  13th.     On  this  i  •  I  find  much 

thankfulne^  to  the  Lord  that   he  hai   •  U  from   Us 

mis.  ry.  and  taken  it  to  htoMelf.     We  have  bow  taw  cbil- 
drt'n.  ;i  ion  and  ■  daughter,  in  glory.     May  the  Loid 
liis  pace  to  the  lour  thai  are  still  graciously  Left 

At  the  September  visitation  of  the  classes  in  Birming- 
ham, lor  tin  purpose  of  renewing  their  tickets,  ha  found. 
It  bm  ail  o\\  n  lang!  ison  to  hope  I 

gracious  work  going  on  among  the    people.     Man] 
added,  and  many  arc  truly  alive  to  God."     And  on  Septem* 
hi  r  26th  he  preached  three  times,  md  met  all  the  cl  i 

at    \\ 'edueslniry  and    iJarlastmi  J     m  both  th< 

}i;nl  the  pleaaure  to  and  the  w.»rk  in 
prosperity. 
October  7th  he  writes:  M  I  was  nuch  edified  and 
:    in    meditating   upon   many  pac  Scripture 

which  prove  the  immortality  of  the  aoul.     1  think  I  d 

had  BO  elear  ■  \ie\\  of  the  subject.  1  could  have  medi- 
tated the  whole  of  the  day  upon  it;  and  1  regretted  that  I 

WM  Obliged  to  (put  it.  and  turn  im  m  to  other 

jeefta.     1  lee  more  i  L<  urly  than  ever,  thai  the  soul  only  is 

the   man;    that    the   body  II  Only  its  house,  tahernae 

<  lothuiLr ;   and  thai  personal  identity  dependi  on  tfa 
being,  to   all  appearance,    impossible  that  ha  should   be 
the  same  intelligent,  conscious  being,  at  the  resurrection, 

if  he  had  no  soul,  or  if  it  died  with  the  body.  But 
whether  the  same  particles  of  matter  that  compose  his 
present  body  be  brought  together  and  tunned  into  a  new 


112  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

body  or  not,  yet,  if  the  self-same  conscious  mind  or  spirit 
subsist,  he  is  the  same  man.  May  the  Lord  strengthen 
my  faith  in  that  gospel  which  brings  life  and  immortality 
to  light." 

October  26th  he  writes  :  "  This  morning  I  read  over 
the  first  Epistle  of  St.  John  with  much  attention  and 
prayer,  and  was  edified  and  comforted  thereby.  These 
words  in  particular,  '  He  that  doeth  the  will  of  God, 
abideth  for  ever,'  were  delightful  to  my  soul.  I  saw  and 
felt  how  inconsistent  they  were  with  the  doctrine  of  ma- 
terialism, and  how  certainly  they  implied  the  continued 
existence  and  immortality  of  the  soul ;  it  being  manifestly 
absurd  to  say,  that  an  intelligent  being,  such  as  man 
most  certainly  is,  abides  for  ever,  if  he  is  wholly  dissolved 
and  loses  his  intelligent  nature  ;  nay,  loses  all  thought  and 
consciousness,  for  a  long  run  of  ages.  I  bless  the  Lord, 
I  found  a  persuasion  in  my  mind,  that  I  did,  in  some 
measure,  the  will  of  God,  and  a  lively  hope  that  I  should 
abide  for  ever."  Soon  after  this  he  suffered  much  from 
the  complaint  to  which  he  had  been  subject  for  years. 
"  My  complaint,"  says  he,  "  has  increased  much  this  week. 
I  have  suffered  much  pain  ;  but  I  have  been  able  to  preach 
a  little,  and  go  through  the  duties  of  my  office.  I  have,  at 
times,  found  great  nearness  to  the  Lord  in  prayer,  especi- 
ally in  secret ;  and  my  mind  has  been  drawn  out  to  cry  to 
him  for  support  under  this  affliction,  and  to  bless  it  to  my 
profit."  And  subsequently  he  adds  :  "  I  have  been  so  ill 
as  not  to  be  able  to  preach,  either  yesterday  or  to-day. 
Indeed,  for  some  days  I  have  hardly  been  able  to  read  or 
write,  my  pain  has  been  so  great  and  constant ;  and  fre- 
quently I  have  not  been  able  to  close  my  eyes  all  night. 
May  the  Lord,  of  his  infinite  mercy,  support  me  under  this 
painful  and  trying  disorder."  Toward  the  close  of  the 
year  he  had  a  little  cessation  from  the  severity  of  his  pain  ; 
but  though  very  weak,  and  still  suffering  under  the  chast- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  113 

suing  hand  of  his  heavenly  Father,  he  made  aa  effort  to 
■Hand  -it  the  chapel  in  ( Ihen 

b-night     u  In 
-  he,  ••  I  .  "ii  t(»  acknowledge,  that  tho 

Lord  heard  ami  anawered  prayer,  aa  I  -irous 

•  ml.  and  nade  il  naattoi  of  prayet  that  I  might  have 
ugth  lor  that  purpose 
January  9th,   1791,  he  was  aa  aai  recovered 
able  to  preach  three  times;  when  he  Bays,  ••  I  have 
favoured  with  much  liberty  in  sp<  But  hia  pain 

soon  returned  with  unusual  riolence,  bo  that,  January  'J3d, 
ha  anritea:  -I  hare  been  exceedingly  ill  lor  ■  fortnight 
•lanlly  able  to  walk  ok  stand,  n  area  -it  or  lie.  My 
pais  haa  been  f<>r  bouri  moat  excruciating.  I  have  been 
soiiicinni  s  racked  and  tortured  all  night  without  inteania- 
>n»n.   and  cooaequently  unable  '  15nt 

hitherto  the  Lord  hath  aupported  me.     Bday  he  contin 
support  me;  and  0  that  he  maj  ify  this  pi 

and  trying  dispensation,  aa  lo  mas  sing  io 

m\  self  and  family  '" 

Vtlliction   is  ;ii  .-ill  times  grievOUl  ,     it   cannot   fail    I 

abhorrent  to  oui  feelings  ;   all  creatures  shrink  from  the 
attacks  of  pain.     Milton  puts  this  Lang  the  mouth 

of  Satan:  M  laws  there  who  loves  bis  pain?" 
can  make  all  the  pains  Ins  servants  feel  subservient  to 
theiz  spiritual  interest  lit-  doth  not  afflict  willingly. 
Afflictions  are  not  sent  for  bis  pleasure,  but  f<»r  our  profit. 
There  is  a  pertain  benevolent  and  merciful  purpose  to  be 
accomplished  by  them.  Therefore,  "  happy  is  the  man 
whom  God  correcteth."  Tribulation  worketh  patience. 
.Mr.  Benson  realized  the  truth  of  this.     "1  bless  I 

aa,  ••  I  have  found  a  measure  of  patience  under  the 
affliction;  and  1  hope  he  will  so  sanctify  it  to  me,  as  to 
make  it  a  lasting  blessing.     In  my   great  i  tnity, 

one    night,    when    I    could   not    get   a   moment's   sleep, 


114  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

I  cried  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  afforded  me  relief;  and 
from  that  time  I  began  to  recover.  O  that  I  may  call 
upon  the  Lord  as  long  as  I  live !" 

February  20th  he  was  enabled  to  resume  his  labours. 
"  In  the  morning,  for  the  first  time,  since  I  have  been  ill, 
I  preached  at  Cherry-street,  on  Heb.  xii,  5-14 ;  and 
found  it,  as,  I  believe,  most  that  were  present  did,  a 
remarkably  blessed  time.  In  the  forenoon,  at  Coleshill 
chapel,  the  congregation  was  much  affected,  while  I 
explained  the  account  given  by  St.  Paul  of  his  sufferings, 
in  2  Cor.  xi,  23-31.  It  was  indeed  a  precious  season. 
In  the  afternoon,  I  preached  to  a  large  and  attentive 
congregation." 

March  2d,  1791,  Mr.  Wesley  departed  this  life,  aged 
eighty-eight  years.  The  intelligence  of  this  afflictive 
event  was  conveyed  to  Mr.  Benson  the  following  day. 
What  the  preachers  generally  felt  on  that  occasion  can 
scarcely  be  conceived,  much  less  expressed.  Few  men 
that  have  ever  lived  have  commanded  a  more  extensive 
influence,  or  been  more  sincerely  reverenced  by  a  larger 
number  of  individuals,  than  the  founder  of  Methodism. 
To  the  preachers  especially  he  was  the  centre  and  bond 
of  union.  To  his  instrumentality,  under  God,  they  owed 
their  existence  as  a  body.  He  was  their  oracle  of  wisdom. 
To  his  counsels  they  had  listened  with  all  the  simplicity 
and  confidence  of  children  ;  in  his  decisions  they  had  sub- 
missively acquiesced.  Where  he  appointed  them,  even 
when  their  own  inclinations  were  thwarted,  they  had  con- 
sented to  go.  But  now  they  felt  that  the  guide  of  their 
youth,  and  he  whom  they  regarded  with  more  than  filial 
affection,  was  gone  the  way  whence  he  would  not  return ; 
and  that  they  should  see  his  face  no  more.  Mr.  Benson, 
on  referring  to  this  event,  says  :  "  May  the  Lord  sanctify 
the  stroke,  and  make  it  a  blessing  to  the  numerous  socie- 
ties that  were  in  connection  with  him  !     Alas  !  how  soon 


LII'K  OF  JOSEPH   :  115 

is  a  life  of  eighty-eight   •  r!      And  how  certain  it 

is,  thai  there  is  no  wisdom  but  in  li \  i 

\  fen  d  equently  be  preached ai  Deritend,  from 

'J  Cor.  vi,  l.     "Many,"  says  he,  "were  much  aff 
under  the  word,  especially  while  I  intimated,  thai  many 
particulara  in  the  p  re  very  applicable  to  our  de- 

parted friend  and   father,  Mr.  Wesley."     The  following 
Sunday  evening  he  preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion; 
when  the  crowd  of  persom  \\in>  attended 
thai  hundr<  imable  to  obtain  admittance  into  the 

chapel     His  text  wai  2  Kings  ii,  12:   •■  My  father!  my 
father!  the  chariot  of  Israel,  and  the  bora  roof." 

Though  the  sermon  was  onusualr^  long,  yel  he  was  enable 

to    COmpfl  ->     into   it    all    the    matter   that    lie   desired  :    he 

thereto  aotice  to  the  congregation,  bould 

resume  the  subject  the  following  Lord's  d  a  the 

attendance  a ;is  as  aumi  reus  as  tx 

\   fen   months  after  this  he  became  an  i 
those  disgraceful  and  destructivt   riots  thai  took  place  in 
Birmingham  in  the  \<:ir  1791,  by  which  much  property 
■was  destroyed,  and  many  liv<  The  folios 

account:  ---.inly   15th.  Yesterday,  according  to  appoint- 
ment, several  gentlemen  met   al  the  hotel  in  ibis  town, 
with   ■   view   to   commemorate   the  French  Revolution. 
The  mob  collected,  and  biased  them  as  they  wend  in 
in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  gathering  together  in 
numbers,  they  broke  all  the  windows  of  the  hotel, 
then  hastening  to  Dr.  Priestley's  meeting-house,  in  a  little 

time  they  burned  it  to  the  -round.      They   then   pro.  - 

to  the  old  meeting-house,  and  burned  it  likewise.     Tins 
morning  the]  set  out  for  l>r.  Priestley's  house,  which  is 

about  two  miles  from  town,  and  burned  it  also,  with  all  the 

furniture.     The  same  destructive  work  they  have  pro 

all   this    day.   having    destroyed    .Mr.    Kyland's   bOQSS,   and 

Squire  Taylor's,  with  all  the  furniture.     It  was  an  awful 


116  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEJS'SON. 

spectacle  this  evening  to  see  from  our  windows  the  latter 
house  all  in  flames. 

"July  16th.  All  this  day  we  have  been  in  continual 
alarms.  The  mob  reigns  without  control.  The  attack 
made  upon  them  by  the  constables  yesterday  has  only 
inflamed  them  the  more  ;  and  this  day  they  are  continuing 
their  depredations.  Hundreds  of  families  are  removing 
their  property,  and  the  whole  town  is  in  utter  consterna- 
tion.    May  the  Lord  be  our  defence  and  habitation  ! 

"  July  17th,  Sunday.  A  general  joy  has  been  diffused 
through  the  town  this  evening,  by  the  arrival  of  some 
troops  of  light-horse.  It  has  been  indeed  a  time  of 
uncommon  trial.  The  whole  town  and  neighbourhood 
have  been  in  a  state  of  alarm  both  night  and  day.  But, 
blessed  be  the  Lord,  we  have  been  preserved  in  peace. 
May  we  be  more  and  more  encouraged  to  trust  in  him,  and 
live  to  his  glory." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  117 


CHAPTER  VI. 

The  first  conference  after  Mr   V>  nt  opinions 

concerning  the  fnt  Methodiaa — Ml    !'•  M  m  is  appointed 

tcheatei — 0  on  a  publication  of  his,  aouth        S 

anisni  I  'nsc-riptiiral" — He  meditaU  of  writing 

tarv  on  the   N<  n   Tei t.mieiit — Is  delin  ml    from  danger— G 
Manch<  ming  the  L 

London — Aildre>s  to  the  societies — Mr    ! 
Democntical  principles  preyalent  in 

— Mr.  Kussel's  pamphlet — Mr.  H< 

%:<  .it  dangi  r — Mr.  Benson'i  pn  ral<  at  inb  a  bet  behsll 

marks  on  the  iboai 

Tin:  !ir>t  conference  after  Mr.  Wesley*!  death  was  held 

in  Manchester.      Tins  formed  ■  new    era  in  AM  history  of 

Methodism.  It  was  ■  crisis  of  more  than  ordinary  im- 
portance :    it    excited    ouch  conjectan 

ailoat.    and    induced    many    inquiries    is    to   the    futin  • 

istence  of  the  system,  Some  supposed,  thai  the  union 
which  had  hitherto  existed  m  the  body  would  be  dissolved  ; 
that  the  preachers  would  cease  to  feel  an  interest  in  each 
other's  welfare  ;  that  jealousies  and  dissensions  would  be 
excited  among  them;  and  that  thus  the  flocks  which  they 
had  been  instrumental  in  gathering  into  one  fold  would  be 

scattered  in    the    cloudy  and  dark  day.      And  with    many, 

this  was  not  only  greatly  desired,  hut  confidently  antici- 
pated. And  had  Methodism  been  the  creature  Of  circum- 
stances ;   bad  it  been  founded  OH  die  sand-hanks  of  human 

authority ;  had  its  doctrines  and  discipline  been  subject  to 

the  control  of  carnal  policy,  then,  indeed,  the  permanency 
of  its  existence  would  have  assumed  s  very  questionable 

shape.  Rut  Methodism  is  based  on  imperishable  principles  ; 
it  knows  no  change,  it  is  subject  to  no  mutation,  and  it 


118  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

cannot  be  any  thing  but  what  it  is.  It  has  stood  the  test 
of  the  fiercest  and  foulest  assailants  ;  and  could  the  open 
attacks  of  its  most  hostile  and  determined  enemies,  or  the 
insidious  endeavours  of  its  false  friends,  have  effected  its 
overthrow,  it  had  long  since  been  brought  to  desolation. 
But  though  the  peal  of  slander  has  been  rung  in  the  ears 
of  the  populace  against  it  for  a  century,  yet,  like  the  sun 
in  the  firmament,  it  has  held  on  its  course,  and  it  bids  fair 
to  shine  more  and  more  unto  the  perfect  day. 

Sunday,  July  24th,  Mr.  Benson  complied  with  the  re- 
quests of  many  of  the  preachers  who  had  come  to  Man- 
chester to  attend  the  conference,  by  preaching  in  the 
Oldham-street  chapel.  "  I  preached,"  says  he,  "  from 
Hebrews  xiii,  7  :  '  Remember  them  which  have  the  rule 
over  you,  who  have  spoken  unto  you  the  word  of  God : 
whose  faith  follow,  considering  the  end  of  their  conversa- 
tion.' The  congregation  was  exceedingly  large,  indeed 
many  could  not  get  in ;  and  the  Lord  was  present  with 
us,  especially  during  the  last  prayer,  when  the  congrega- 
tion was  exceedingly  affected." 

Some  of  the  preachers,  whose  names  were  not  enrolled 
in  the  Deed  of  Declaration,  had  entertained  apprehensions 
lest  their  brethren  whose  names  were  inserted  in  that 
document  should  deprive  them  of  the  privileges  they 
enjoyed,  or  in  some  other  way  exert  an  undue  degree 
of  authority  over  them.  Mr.  Wesley  had  foreseen 
this ;  and  to  guard  against  it,  he  had  drawn  up  a  letter, 
dated  1785,  which  he  desired  might  be  read  to  the 
preachers  at  the  first  conference  after  his  death ;  in  which 
he  says : — 

"  I  beseech  you,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  that  you  never 
avail  yourselves  of  the  Deed  of  Declaration  to  assume  any 
superiority  over  your  brethren ;  to  have  no  respect  of  per- 
sons in  stationing  the  preachers,  in  choosing  children  for 
Kingswood  school,  in  disposing  of  the  yearly  contributions, 


Ill  I  BEPH  BENSON  119 

and  the  preachers'  fund,  01  my  other  public  money.  But 
do  all  thingi  with  n  the 

ins,  doiiiLr  all  things  without  prejudice 
or  partiality,  and  God  will  be  with  you  unto  tin   end. — 

Jon\    \\  i  BLB1  ." 

Jn  conformity  with  the  request  urged  in  tin-  above  k 
the  foUowiag  records  appear  la  tin-  Minutes  of  the 
fereoee : — 

■  \.   B.  The  conh-nnce  hav<- unaniin<>u-ly  r»s..lv«'d.  that 

all  the  preachera  in  fall  coaaectioo  with  them  ahaU  aajay 
prii  Liege  thai  the  metaban  of  the  confer*  nee  aajay  ; 
eably   to   the  aboTe-writtan  latter   af  <>ur   raaaraale 
led  father  in  tin-  gaepi  I. 
"It  may  be  expected,  that  the  coafereaee  woald  i 
aorae  obserrationa  oa  the  death  at"  Mr.  w  ealey  ;  bat  they 
feel  themselves  ntteriy  aaable  t«>  expraea  then 
feelings  on  this  awful  and  affecting  ev< 

"Their  souls  do  truly  aworn  for  than  Lrr»  at  lata;  and 
they  Bhall  giv<  prooi  oi  then  raaeratioe  f«>r  the 

iiiciiiorv  of  their  eateamad  Gather  and  friend,  ivour- 

ing,    arith    great    humility  and  diffidence,   t<>  follow   and 

imitate  liiin  in  doctrine,  discipline,  and  li!' 

The  praaahara  had  bow  to  perioral  dotiee  to  which  they 

had  been  hitherto  unaccuatomed.     Th< 

dent,  to  conduct  the  bas  in  as  of  the  i  oaf<   i 

upon  tliein.     They  had  alao  to  station  the  preach* 

work  which  had  been  previously  performed^   and  made 

ready  to  tlieir  hands,  by  Mr.  Wesley.  \nd  they  deemed 
it  nec<  aaary  for  the  more  effectual  maaaaaaaace  of  the 
discipline  of  the  body,  to  divide  the  kingdom  into  districts  : 

and  it  w;is  stated,  "That  tin  ofaay  circuit  shall 

have  authority  to  summon  the  preachera  of  hit  district, 
who  are  in  fall  connection,  on  any  critical  case,  which, 
according  to  the  hest  of  his  judgment,  merits  such  an 
interference  :"  and  the  preachers  when  assembled  were 


120  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

directed  to  choose  a  chairman,  and  their  decision  was  to 
be  final  until  the  next  conference.  Great  peace  and  har- 
mony prevailed  among  the  preachers  during  the  transac- 
tion of  the  whole  business.  They  loved  as  brethren,  and 
maintained  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace. 
Their  minds  were  too  deeply  impressed  with  their  orphan- 
like condition,  to  allow  any  unhallowed  feeling  to  gain  the 
ascendency  over  them,  or  to  suffer  any  unkind  or  irritating 
language  to  escape  from  their  lips.  They  felt  the  awful 
responsibility  of  their  situation :  a  great  trust  had  been 
committed  to  them  ;  and  they  were  impressed  with  the 
conviction  that  they  were  bound  by  the  most  sacred  ties  to 
transmit  to  posterity,  in  its  most  unmutilated  form,  that 
system  of  doctrine,  and  code  of  discipline,  which  they  had 
received  from  their  founder,  and  which  they  believed 
harmonized  with  the  revealed  will  of  God ;  and  they  de- 
parted to  their  several  circuits,  with  steadfast  purpose  of 
soul  "  to  spend  and  to  be  spent  for  them  who  had  not  yet 
their  Saviour  known." 

At  this  conference  Mr.  Benson  was  appointed  to  suc- 
ceed Mr.  Bradburn  at  Manchester,  and  Mr.  Bradburn  to 
take  his  place  at  Birmingham  ;  but,  instead  of  removing  to 
their  circuits  immediately  after  the  conference,  for  some 
reason,  with  which  we  are  unacquainted,  they  did  not 
change  until  the  month  of  May  in  the  following  year. 

Some  time  prior  to  Mr.  Wesley's  death,  Mr.  Benson 
had  published  a  work  which  he  entitled,  "  Socinianism 
Unscriptural  ;  or,  the  Prophets  and  Apostles  vindicated 
from  the  Charge  of  holding  the  Doctrine  of  Christ's  mere 
Humanity :  being  the  second  part  of  a  Vindication  of  his 
Divinity,  inscribed  to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Priestley,  by  the  late 
Rev.  J.  Fletcher  ;"  to  which  he  added,  "  In  a  large  detail 
of  instances,  a  Demonstration  of  the  want  of  Common 
Sense  in  the  New  Testament  Writers,  on  the  supposition 
of  their  believing  and  teaching  the  above-mentioned  doc- 


LIFE  BPH  BEN-  121 

trine  :   in    .  to  the  Rer.  John 

In  this  work  Mr.  Benson  cites  a  number  of  tev 

in  which  the 
Lord    Jem  ken  of:     and    l 

reasonable  man  must  allow,    that  they  are  all  a: 

.  up<»n  th' 
tion  that  i  B ." 

In   •  the  providential  dealn  ward 

liim  and  bit  family,  at  the  close  of  the  year  1791,  he  thus 
expresses    himself:    w  And    BOW    taot  past! 

Many  h:i\f  been  nV  Dnfing  the  three 

•   i:.  I   was  much  afflicted  ;   but  the 
deliTered  me.  and  in   a  measure  ne.      My   wife, 

i  confinement,  with  lameness;  but 

the  Lord  :i  the  ehil 

them. 
Many  also  hare  been  Am  iptricna]  n 

O    tlmt     I     may    be    truly    thankful,    and   more   than 
I   ^i •<•  tl  peal  en 

be  humbled  for  my  unfaithfulness  to  the  «rr 

well  as  for   m\   many  sins.      May  th.-   Lord  L'rant  me  true 

■  and  forgiveness,  and  giacionaly  make  me  a  new 
cissiure  in  Christ  Jeens f     Hethewadds:  ■•  Mj 

much  drawn  out  in  prayer  in  the  morniiiL'  at  Cherry-Street, 

as   ah  ieshill-streel    in   the    iftemoon,   and   the 

people  were  much  afleCted  and  comforted.      In   the   • 
inii    the    society    met    nt    renewing  their  coveriant  with 
Cod.     Two  persons  appear  to  have  received  nmeh  divine 
consolation." 

In    the   early  part  of  the   year  179J  he  meditated  the 
i  ia  writing  a  commentary  on  the  Neu  Testament; 

and  in   March  lie  eoinmenced   the  undertaking.      In  I 

to  thi<  work  he  says  :    ••  The  In  ft    I   have 

spent    chiefly   in   writing.      I    have  betrun    a   larLr'     work. 
which  God  knows  whether  I  shall  live  to  finish  or  make 

6 


122  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

any  progress  in.  Should  the  notes  never  be  published, 
nor  answer  any  end  to  others,  writing  them  will,  at  least, 
increase  my  own  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  be  a 
sweet  and  useful  employment  of  my  leisure  hours." 

March  24th  he  had  to  record  with  thankfulness  the 
providential  care  of  God  over  him,  in  a  deliverance  from 
imminent  danger,  to  which  he  was  exposed.  The  horse 
on  which  he  was  riding  into  Birmingham  from  the  country 
took  fright,  and  not  being  able  to  manage  it,  he  soon  found 
himself  under  its  feet,  trodden  upon,  and  dragged,  either  by 
his  keeping  hold  of  the  bridle,  or  the  stirrup.  "  How," 
says  he,  "  I  got  disengaged  I  do  not  know.  I  was  so 
stunned  by  the  fall  as  not  to  be  able  to  stand  when  I  rose  ; 
but  I  was  very  thankful  to  find  that  I  had  no  bones  broken, 
and  that  I  was  only  a  little  bruised  in  two  or  three  places. 
But  both  my  upper  and  under  coat  were  torn  to  pieces. 
Surely  this  hath  God  wrought !  By  this  remarkable  de- 
liverance I  am  laid  under  fresh  obligations  to  live  to  the 
glory  of  my  great  Deliverer." 

April  4th  he  says  :  "  I  have  met  with  a  great  treasure  ; 
viz.,  Poole's  '  Synopsis.'  Not  having  read  much  in  it,  1 
never  knew  its  value  before.  The  small  value  now  set 
upon  this  most  invaluable  and  useful  work,  is,  I  think,  a 
striking  proof  of  the  decay  of  real  learning  in  the  present 
age."  On  the  eighth  of  this  month  he  was  called  to  expe- 
rience another  bereavement  in  his  family  :  his  youngest 
child  was  snatched  away  from  the  embraces  of  its  fond 
parents  after  a  few  days'  illness.  On  this  occasion  he  saw 
the  divine  hand,  and  with  perfect  acquiescence  was  ena- 
bled to  say,  "  The  Lord  gave,  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away,  and  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

April  22d,  after  having  preached  four  times,  he  says, 
"  0  that  I  may  be  enabled  to  do  my  duty  to  this  people, 
and  to  watch  for  their  souls  as  one  that  must  give  account ! 
St.  Chrysostom,  it  seems,  never  read  Hebrews  xiii,  20,21, 


LIFK  OF  JOBEPH  :  LS9 

without   trembling;    conscious   of  the    great  charge    in- 
'1  with  him  ;  and  yet  he  was  ■  Di  Bcher, 

and  faithful  pastor.  0  hew  much  reason  have  I  to 
tremble  !" 

.May  17th,  having  take  I  solemn  )•  a\e  of  his  affection- 

ate  friends  in  Birmingham,  he  repaired  to  Manc.hi 
where  he  dm  I  with  ■  kind  reception  from  l]  .  who 

aaaembled  tog<  th<  r  to  a  elcome  him  into  their  circuit. 

July  1st  he  o  "In  the  morning  we  had  ■  very 

precious  opportunity ;  and  the  word,  I  trust, 
blessing  to  many.     In  the  forenoon,  al  Salford,  I  preached 
on  Matthew  v.  20;  and  before  I  had  concluded,  one  par- 
son i  risd  out  bitterly  in  tit ;  and  :.  i 
<iati«>n  was  nun  li  affected.     In  the  evening,  at  Oldham- 
street,  I  preached  from,  '  I  taw  t]  unall  and  . 
stand  before  ( tad,1  d  c.     It  a  aa  indeed  ■  rery  lolemn  time  ; 
and  toward  the  close  <>f  the  discourse  i  peculiar  i nil  . 
attended  the  word,  and  the  whole  congregation  Beemed 
melted  down.     There  were  people  weeping  on  all  bj 

and,  I  doubt  not.  many  were  truly  comforted.      UntO 

o  Lord,  be  all  the  glory  of  thy  own  work." 

Tor  some  time  previously  to  this,  many  members  of  our 
societies,  in  dl  tie  re  lit  paitfl  "lined  ion,  had  e.\j>;  ■ 

■  atrong  desire  to  receive  the  sacrament  of  the  Lords  sup- 
per at  the  hands  of  their  own  preachers.  They  felt  that 
they  could  not  conscientiously  oegl  ct  thai  divinely-insti- 
tuted ordinance  ;  and  they  saw  no  reason  why  those  whom 
Christ    had   appointed   to  preach  his   gospel,  and  under 

whose  ministry  they  had  sat  with  BO  much  delight  and 
profit,  should  be  prohibited  from  delivering  to  them  the 

sacred  symbols  of  the  Lord's  body  and  blood  :  especially 
as    they    believed    that    some  of  the   Church  ministers,    in 

whose  parishes  they  severally  resided,  were  onconvi 
men,    and    notoriously    immoral    in    their    conduct  ;    and, 
consequently,  were  wholly  disqualified  for  preaching  the 


124  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

gospel  and  dispensing  the  ordinances  of  religion.  On  the 
other  hand,  there  were  those,  especially  among  the  senior 
members  of  the  societies,  who  were  violently  set  against 
any  change  being  made,  either  in  reference  to  preaching 
in  church  hours,  or  the  admission  of  the  sacraments  into 
our  chapels.  Mr.  Wesley's  sentiments  were  well  known  : 
his  attachment  to  all  the  ordinances  of  the  Church  was 
pleaded  ;  and  the  introduction  of  the  Lord's  supper  among 
our  societies  was  regarded  as  an  insult  offered  to  the 
memory  of  our  founder,  and  an  innovation  on  the  estab- 
lished usages  of  Methodism,  that  could  not  be  tolerated. 
This  difference  of  opinion  created  much  uneasiness,  sowed 
the  seeds  of  dissension,  and  produced  a  party  spirit  in 
many  societies.  The  Liverpool  society,  especially,  was 
so  greatly  agitated  on  this  subject,  and  the  contentions 
among  the  members  had  become  so  violent,  that  it  was 
deemed  necessary  to  send  a  deputation  of  the  preachers  to 
visit  them,  and,  if  practicable,  to  reconcile  the  contending 
parties.  July  2d  Mr.  Benson  and  five  other  preachers  met 
at  Liverpool ;  and,  after  much  earnest  and  affectionate 
persuasion,  accomplished  their  object,  so  far  as  to  induce 
those  who  took  the  most  active  part  in  the  disputes,  if  not 
to  renounce  their  opinions,  yet  to  lay  aside  all  strife  and 
debate,  and  as  much  as  possible  to  be  at  peace  one  with 
another.  Mr.  Benson's  remark  on  the  subject  is,  "  Having, 
by  the  divine  blessing,  been  enabled  to  bring  matters  to 
this  much-desired  issue,  we  spent  some  time  in  prayer, 
and  then  broke  up  the  meeting."  As  the  preachers  gen- 
erally through  the  connection  had  heard  of  these  disputes, 
a  circular  letter  was  addressed  to  them,  acquainting  them 
with  their  happy  termination. 

July  31st,  1792,  the  conference  began  in  London  :  most 
of  the  preachers  of  any  considerable  standing  and  influ- 
ence in  the  body  were  present.  Here  the  subject  which 
had  agitated  the  connection,  concerning  the  sacrament, 


LIFK  OF  J08EPH  B£NG  125 

was  largely  and  seriously  discussed.     Different  opinions 
were  entertained  by  the  preachen  m  to  the  propriety  of 
the  measure;  and  much  mn  said  fix  and  against  it.     Mr. 
Benson,  as  ii  maybe  iuppoaed, firom  bis  strong attachnaent 
to  the  Church,  was  among  the  number  of  those  who 
posed  tin-  introduction  of  tin-  sacrament  into  our  ch 
II.-  was  decidedly  of  opinion,  that  if  certain  of  the 
thren  had  yielded  a  Little,  some  1 1  ry  unpl<  saant  different  ^, 
which  then  existed,  might  bare  been  easily  adjusted.     At 
the  close  of  thii  lengthened  debate  it  iraa  found  that  the 
names  and  respectability  of  the  preachen  who  took  oppo- 
ides    were  so  near!)  balanced,  that  tin-  conference 
deemed  it  proper,  as  an  extraordinary  case,  not  of  morality, 
hut  of  prudence,  to  decide  it  by  lot.     To  tl 
ciaion  Mr.  Benson  demurred.     M  I  entirely,"  says  he.  ■ 
approved  of  putting  the  question  respecting  I 
of  our  giving  or  not  giving  the  sacrament  o(  tin-  I 
Bupper  to  the  lot.     It  did  not  seem  to  me  t!.  i  any 

means,  the  proper  method  of  determining  tin-  matter.    And 

though  the  lot  drawn  was,  •  JfoU  shall   n<>:   give  the   - 

meiit  tins  year*1  yet  1  fear  this  will  by  no  means  satisfy 

those  who  wish  to  hare  the  ordinance  May  the  Lord 
look  Upon  ns,  and  lical  onr  breaches !"  Before  the  con- 
ference (dosed,  tin*  following  circular  ! 

to  the  members  of  tin-  Methodist  i : — 

41  To  the  members  of  our   societies  who  desire  to  receive 
the  Lord's  supper  from  the  hands  of  their  own  j 

11  Vi:kv    Diak    BaETHRJ  \. — The  conference  deSUTI 
to  write  to  you,  in   their  name,  in  the   most   tender   and 
affectionate  manner,  and  to  inform  you  of  the  event  of  their 
deliberations  concerning  the  administration  of  the  Lord's 
supper. 

••    \fter  debating  the   subject   time  after  time,  we    were 
greatly  divided  in  sentiment  :  in  short,  we  knew  not  what 


126  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  do,  that  peace  and  union  might  be  preserved.  At  last 
one  of  the  senior  brethren  (Mr.  Pawson)  proposed  that  we 
should  commit  the  matter  to  God,  by  putting  the  question 
to  the  lot, — considering  that  the  oracles  of  God  declare, 
that '  the  lot  causeth  contentions  to  cease,  and  parteth  be- 
tween the  mighty.'  And  again,  that  *  the  lot  is  cast  into 
the  lap,  but  the  whole  disposing  thereof  is  of  the  Lord ;' 
and  considering  also  that  we  have  the  example  of  the 
apostles  themselves,  in  a  matter  which  we  thought,  all 
things  considered,  of  less  importance. 

"  We  accordingly  prepared  the  lots,  and  four  of  us  pray- 
ed. God  was  surely  present ;  yea,  his  glory  filled  the 
room.  Almost  all  the  preachers  were  in  tears ;  and,  as 
they  afterward  confessed,  felt  an  undoubted  assurance 
that  God  himself  would  decide.  Mr.  Adam  Clarke  was 
then  called  on  to  draw  the  lot ;  which  was,  '  You  shall  not 
administer  the  sacrament  the  ensuing  year.'  All  were 
satisfied.  All  submitted.  All  was  peace.  Every  counte- 
nance seemed  to  testify  that  every  heart  said,  '  It  is  the 
Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good.'  A  minute  was 
then  formed,  according  to  the  previous  explanation  of  the 
lots,  that  the  sacrament  should  not  be  administered  in  our 
connection  for  the  ensuing  year,  except  in  London.  The 
prohibition  reaches  the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England, 
as  well  as  other  brethren. 

"  We  do  assure  you,  dear  brethren,  we  should  have  been 
perfectly  resigned,  if  the  lot  had  fallen  on  the  other  side. 
Yea,  we  should,  as  far  as  Christian  prudence  and  expe- 
diency would  have  justified,  have  encouraged  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Lord's  supper  by  the  preachers  ;  because  we 
had  not  a  doubt  but  God  was  uncommonly  present  on  the 
occasion,  and  did  himself  decide. 

"  Signed,  in  behalf  of  the  conference, 

"  Alexander  Mather,  President. 
"  Thomas  Coke,  Secretary." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  L37 

Tt  does  do1  become  us  to  call  in  question  the  expedi<  ncy 
to  which  the  preacheri 
mining  thif  situation  in  which  they  were 

placed  was  peculiarly  critical.     They  a  division 

in  the  and  they  saw  thai  much  of  the  peace  and 

the  prosperity  of  the  con  epended,  in  a  Becondary 

.  on  them  men  of  ( ;«>il ;  the 

glory  of  God  was  t]  irhich  they  uniformly  d< 

to  promote;  and  they  sincerely  and  prayerfully  sought  the 
guidance  of  Him  who  hath  promised1  thai  if  we  ack 

him  in  all  our  ways,  he  will  direct  our  |>:iths. 

we  imiM  assume  that  the  conclusion  to  which  they 

ill  things  considered,  satisfactory  to  the  connection 
generally  :  at  the  same  time,  to  an  unprejudiced  muni,  and 
one   unacquainted  with  tin-  whole  circmav 
stances  of  the  case,  it  d  n  should 

ipecial  direction  sought,  to  know 
whether  bis  people  should  pa  «•  ordinance  which 

he  himself  had  t<  d. 

\i  tins  conference  Mr.  Benson  was  again  appoint 
Man.  imI  about  the  middle  of  August  be  resumed 

liis  labours  in  the  circuit.     But  his  mind  was  painfull} 
ercised  throughout  the  whole  of  tins  year.     !!• 
stitutionally  inclined  to  look  on  the  dark  side  of  things. 
He  frequently  feared  where  do  fear  was;  an  I  antici 
c\ils  which  had  no  existence  but  in  his  nun  sombre  ima- 
gination.    The  disturb  oection  a 
source  of  inexpressible  uneasiness  to  him:  his  own  ; 
of  mind  essentially  depended  on  the  peace  of  the 
Erery  report  that  he  heard  of  any  agitations  in  I 
ties  awakened  his  I                 led  him  to  believe  thai 
connection  was  on  the  brink  of  ruin.     And  this 
feeling  and  apprehension   was   u                by  the   l< 
which  In-  was  in  the  habit  of  receiving  almost  daily. 
persona  who  were  like-minded  with  himself  on  the  subject 


128  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  the  sacrament.  And  with  these  letters  in  his  hand,  he 
often  called  his  colleague,  Mr.  Adam  Clarke,  out  of  his 
study,  and  with  an  earnestness  of  manner,  and  a  voice 
peculiarly  his  own,  was  wont  to  exclaim,  "  Brother  Clarke, 
we  are  ruined, — we  are  ruined."  But  though  his  fears 
were  excited  concerning  the  connection,  yet  he  pursued 
his  work,  sowing  beside  all  waters,  and  diffusing  the  savour 
of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Avherever  he  went. 

October  8th  he  observes  :  "  On  Thursday  night  I  met 
the  leaders,  and  informed  them,  that,  as  I  understood  there 
were  some  individuals  who  were  grieved  at  our  reading 
the  prayers  at  Salford  chapel,  we  would  drop  reading 
them,  unless  a  majority  of  trustees  of  that  chapel  request- 
ed us  to  read  them ;  but  it  was  a  maxim  with  me  never  to 
contend  about  an  indifferent  thing.  They  seemed  divided 
in  their  sentiments  respecting  the  matter;  but  as  a  ma- 
jority of  them  did  not  request  a  continuance  of  them,  they 
drop,  at  least,  till  they  do." 

It  should  be  recollected  that  the  Articles  of  Pacification 
were  not  then  in  existence.  In  one  of  those  articles,  it  is 
said,  "  Wherever  divine  service  is  performed  in  England 
on  the  Lord's  day  in  church  hours,  the  officiating  preacher 
shall  read  either  the  service  of  the  established  Church, 
our  venerable  father's  abridgment,  or  at  least  the  lessons 
appointed  by  the  calendar.  But  we  recommend  either  the 
full  service,  or  the  abridgment." 

November  4th  Mr.  Benson  says  :  "  I  bless  the  Lord,  I 
have  been  enabled  to  preach  four  times  to-day,  and  at  each 
time  with  much  liberty.  The  people  were  much  affected, 
especially  in  the  forenoon  at  Salford,  and  at  Oldham-street 
in  the  evening.  The  congregations  have  been  very  large, 
and  I  am  persuaded  many  have  been  profited." 

December  9th  he  observes :  "  I  have  had  a  very  dis- 
tressing week.  I  was  in  the  most  excruciating  pain  dur- 
ing the  whole  of  last  Thursday  night ;  and  being  unable 


LIFE  Of  J08JBPH  BEN  1*9 

>  \)  MM  much  as  one   minute,  I  rot  and   con- 

tinued for  some  tnm-  jxjuring  out  my  soul  in  prayer  to 
God,  m  gnat  l»filh  of  mmd,  M  well  U  bodily  pam.  In 
tfae  morning  I  W9M  a  little  better,  ami  found  a  degree  of 
tru>t  in  the  Lord,  and  panel  "I  mind."  When  his  pain 
subsided,  which  it  did  in  the  I  thus 

expressed    the    Lrrate|wl    fading!   of    his    heart  :    ' 
could  be  truly  thankful  for  tin    Lo  .-kiudne-- 

tender   mercj,  and  that  I  may  be    enabled  to  live  more  to 

-ry  '" 

Decembef  .'ilst,  alter  holding  I  irbich 

vrae  omneroualy  attended,  be  aayi:  ■•  I  found  my  mind,  m 

some    POO OTO,   thankful    fof  all    the  Hi' 
and  bumbled  imdei  >l  my  man 

.11  proachiog  and  pi  id  have  reason 

to   boliOTC    it  VM  a   profitable  time  to   inanv.      ()  that  this 
may  be,  indeed.  ;i  i).  u   year  t<>  ne 
\otedm  -v  •,,  (,,.,1,  and  usefulness  to  man,  tban  any   1 
lived  '" 

Mr.  Beoaon'i  political  principle-  idlyloyaL    lie 

cordially  approved  oi  the  British  ,  (institution  both  in  church 

and  Mat.-  ;  and  deemed  it  a  privilege  to  li\e  uml. 

meat  where  liberty  of  consci. ince,  the  unalienable  pr«rn_ 

of  man.  area  enjoyed  without  molestation.       He  feared  Qod 

and  the  kniLT.  and  meddled  not  with  them  thai 

change.       Hut  lie  was  surrounded  by  men  of  domed 

and  revolutionary  principles.      Diamflectioa  to  Lro\ eminent 

prevailed    at  thai  time  to  an  alarming  extent  in    Mai. 

ter.     Cheap  editions  of  Paine'i  ol   Mam" 

printed,  and  industriously  and  widely  circulated  HBOBg 
the  labouring  classes  of  the  population.  The  French  re- 
volution, the  murder  of  the  k 1 1 1 lt.  and  all  the  sanguinary 
deeds  which  had  been  recently  perpetrated  in  that  unhappy 
country,  were  regarded  rather  as  virtues  than  crimes.  And 
those  who  advocated  the  cause  of  good  government,  ami 

6* 


130  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

inculcated  obedience  to  the  higher  powers,  were  consider- 
ed enemies  to  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  people.  On 
this  subject  Mr.  Benson  says,  February  3d :  "  A  spirit  of 
disloyalty  and  rebellion  manifesting  itself  in  this  town,  I 
have  thought  it  my  duty  occasionally  to  check  it,  by  incul- 
cating subjection  to  the  higher  powers ;  and  as  some  have 
termed  this,  preaching  politics,  I  took  occasion,  from  Titus 
iii,  1,  to  show,  that  I  had  done  no  more  than  was  my  duty  ; 
and  that  to  preach  on  politics  was  a  very  different  thing 
from  a  minister's  inculcating  a  plain  duty." 

In  Dr.  Clarke's  Life,  reference  is  made  to  Mr.  Benson ; 
of  whom  it  is  said,  that  he  "  exhausted  himself  in  main- 
taining the  divine  right  of  kings  and  regular  governments 
to  do  what  might  seem  right  in  their  own  eyes ;  the  peo- 
ple at  large  having  nothing  to  do  with  the  laws  but  to  obey 
them."  And  an  intimation  is  given  that  Mr.  Benson  was 
one  of  those  "  political  preachers  who  neither  convert  souls 
nor  build  up  believers  on  their  most  holy  faith."  But  Mr. 
Benson,  to  use  the  language  of  a  well-known  author, 
"  was  aware  of  the  strenuous  efforts  then  in  progress  to 
propagate  Paine's  politics  with  Paine's  infidelity  ;  he  found 
disaffection  to  King  George  generally  connected  with  an 
open  denial  of  Christ  and  the  Bible ;  and,  like  a  faithful 
watchman,  he  warned  the  unsuspecting  part  of  his  hearers 
of  their  danger,  and  endeavoured  to  reclaim  those  who  had 
been  already  led  astray ;  but  in  doing  this,  he  neither 
scattered  his  congregations,  nor  neglected  to  '  preach 
Christ  crucified  for  the  redemption  of  a  lost  world.'  When 
he  preached  on  the  Sunday  evenings  in  the  spacious 
chapel  in  Oldham-street,  he  was  generally  attended  by  as 
many  persons  as  could  possibly  press  within  the  doors, 
amounting  to  considerably  more  than  two  thousand ;  and 
so  powerful  was  his  preaching,  that  these  immense  con- 
gregations were  moved  not  only  to  tears,  but  to  loud  wail- 
ing ;  so  that  he  was  compelled  to  kneel  down  in  the  midst 


LH  I  BPH  BENS  131 

of  his  sermons,  and  engage  in  praj  e  people  might 

their  ra  a  ;  when  be 

and  resumed  !. 

Some  lime  In  the 
bu   at   Oxford,   had  delivered  s  sennoa  •  •;  the 

churches  of  thai  oil  tie  to 

the  times,"  end  a  bich  i  stly   pobl 

widely  circulated.  Whether  the  author  of  this  sensm 
int.  oded  to  rouae  the  spirit  of  indignation,  and  enkindle 
the  flame  <»!'  persecution,  in  the  minds  of  bu 

-t  the  Methodists,  by  the  illiberal,  abusive,  and  slan- 
derous accusations  brought  against  them,  it  is  not  f<>: 

'•lit  thai  '  rere  produced,  the  subsequent 

conduct  of  the  populace    moat    obviously    den 

i  lawless  rabble  <•:  gownames),  and othem of  th« 
sort,  such  as  gameatera,  unkers,  and  ale  sellers,  armed 
with  sticks,  and  sp  ars  i'.\«  !  in  them,  assembled,  ol 
the  preacher  t>>  leave  the  pulpit,  overthrew  I  m  the 

chapel,  ami  heat  an<l  otherwise  ill-treated  many  of  the 
people,  who  w .  re  met  togi  iher  in  a  peaceable  manner,  in 
a  place  duly  licensed,  to  worship  God,  and  receive  the 
word  of  Christian  instruction  and  exhortatkm.     This 

nion  of  Dr.  Talh;un  WSS  put  into  Mr.   II-  DSOo'fl  D an ■!■■ 

friend;  and  having  heard  much  of  the  autfc  I  loy- 

alty to  the  king,  and  ol  his  strong  attachment  to  the  i 
lent  form  of  government  eatablished  in  these  kin 
hoped  not  only  to  be  much  edified  himself,  by  tl 

of  it.    hut    expected    that    it    would    Op  UD  antidote 

against  the  poisonous  principles  which  at  thai  time,  with 

no  little  eagerneeS  and  sedulity,  were  so  widely  dissem- 
inated through  the  land.     But,  contrary  to  bis  expect 

he  saw  in  the  sermon  >o  much  of  that  which  is  illiberal  in 

spirit,  erroneous  in  doctrine,  and  al  naive  in  language,  as 

to  be  prompted  to  take  uj)  lus  pen  and  make  remarks  upon 
it.     These  remarks  wore  Bubaequently  pnblished,  entitled, 


132  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

"A  Defence  of  the  Methodists,  in  five  Letters  addressed 
to  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tatham."  These  Letters  illustrate  and 
defend  some  of  the  great  leading  doctrines  of  Christianity  ; 
and  are  in  point  of  argument,  purity,  and  strength  of  lan- 
guage, and  spirited,  heart-stirring  appeals,  inferior  to 
nothing  that  the  memorable  author  has  ever  published. 
The  high  estimation  in  which  the  work  was  held  was 
fully  evinced  by  the  fact,  that  three  editions  were  demanded 
by  the  public  in  a  very  short  space  of  time.  What  the 
reverend  gentleman,  to  whom  they  were  addressed,  felt 
on  the  perusal  of  them,  we  have  no  means  of  knowing : 
suffice  it  to  say,  that  he  possessed  a  sufficient  portion 
of  prudence  to  allow  them  to  remain  unnoticed  and  unan- 
swered. 

But  though  the  doctor  was  silent,  yet  Mr.  Benson's 
defence  was  attacked  and  replied  to  by  the  Rev.  W.  Rus- 
sel,  curate  of  Pershore,  under  the  title  of,  "  A  few  Hints 
for  the  consideration  of  Methodists  and  other  Dissenters." 
This  publication  was  so  destitute  of  all  argument,  so 
fraught  with  low,  rancorous  abuse,  and  exhibited  such 
gross  violations  of  the  plainest  rules  of  the  English  lan- 
guage, as  scarcely  to  deserve  a  serious  answer.  In  one 
part  of  it,  this  pugnacious  divine  tells  Mr.  Benson,  that  had 
he  used  such  language  to  him  personally,  as  he  had  used 
to  Dr.  Tatham,  "  neither,"  says  he,  "  your  sanctity,  nor 
even  your  age,  would  have  prevented  you  from  receiving 
what  your  behaviour  would  so  justly  merit, — •'  a  knock- 
down argument,'  not  from  my  tongue,  but  from  an  instru- 
ment which,  perhaps,  would  make  a  more  sensible  im- 
pression of  its  weight  and  power."  Contemptible  as  this 
publication  appeared  in  the  judgment  of  discerning  and 
seriously-minded  persons,  yet  Mr.  Benson  thought  it  ad- 
visable to  answer  it.  This  he  did  in  five  Letters,  which 
were  published  in  the  latter  part  of  this  year.  His  reasons 
for  doing  this  are  stated  in  the  first  of  these  Letters,  where 


LIKK  OF  JOSEPH  UFA-  133 

he  says  to  Mr.   Ri  careful  perusal  of 

'Hints1  b  dm  to  alter  my  sentiments  n  any 

on*-  mstSJSCe.      Ndr  would  I   have  taken  tlu 

thrni,  had  it  not  been  far  two  i.     1st.  I  tliouL'ht  it 

probable  thai  they  would  Gall  into  the 
not  having  read  my  •  Defence,1  or  not  being  at  the  , 
of  comparing  it  with  yea  remarks,  might,  from 
circumstance  of  their  being  unanswered,   rtwtM'  they 

futauon  of,  at  1«  ast,  some  of  the  docti 
■draneed.      \nd.  2dly.   I    wished   for  an  opportuati 
bringing  again  before  the  public,  and  ol 
large,  two  or  three  point-.  <»i  n<>  small  moment,  which  in 

tin-  fofUSOT  puhlieation   1   eonld  l)iit  just   mention  ;    an 
another  opportunity  of  doing  this  should  not   SOOU  W 

think  it  best  to  embrace  the  present     lor  thee* 
sir.  I  again  take  op  my  pea,  sad  shall  make  it  my  bin 
to  let  nothing  in  your  'Hints'  pass  without  notice,  that 
appears  to  me,  m  anj  respect,  to  merit  n.     But  I  baa 
ninth  regard  for  die  public,  and  fof  tin-  proper  use  of  my 
own  tune,  to  reply  to  every  thing  you  have  thought  proper 
to  advance  in  your  shilling  pamphlet,  'the  hasty  com] 
tion,'  as  yon  tell  us,  '  of  ■  feu  da] 

These  Letters,  though  little  known  by  the  praaeuj 
of  Methodists,  the  occasion  thai  gave  them  birth  having 
long  since  passed  away,  arc  yet  wall  worthy  of  an  attentive 

perusal,  as  there  are  miiiic  points  of  doctrine  discussed  in 
them  that  cannot  tail  to  convoy  the  most  .salutary  and  use- 
ful instruction  on  certain  Scriptural  verities  of  the  most 
important  nature.  This  work.  also,  had  a  \ cry  rapid  - 
a  proof  sufficiently  strong,  that  the  Methodists,  at  least, 
took  a  deep  inter.st  in  the  issue  of  this  controversy.  A 
collection  of  all  the  sermons,  sasuya,  tracts,  pamphlets, 
songs,  and  publications  of  different  kinds,  that  have  been 
circulated  against  tin-  Methodises  during  the  last  century, 
would  form  a  catalogue  of  no  ordinary  size,  and  excite  a 


134  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

degree  of  attention  bordering  on  astonishment.  Bishops, 
priests,  deacons,  Papists,  Socinians,  Calvinists,  Antinomi- 
ans,  Universalists,  and  infidels  have,  each  in  their  turn, 
cast  a  stone  at  them.  Some  have  violently  declaimed 
against  their  enthusiasm, — others  have  branded  them  with 
disloyalty, — some  have  cavilled  with  their  doctrines, — 
others  have  censured  their  discipline, — some  have  deemed 
them  hypocrites, — others  have  accused  them  as  being 
"  righteous  overmuch," — some  have  contented  themselves 
with  breathing  out  threatenings  against  them, — others  have 
assailed  them  with  rotten  eggs  and  missiles.  And  to 
enumerate  all  the  falsehoods  and  errors  with  which  they 
have  been  charged,  and  all  the  calumnies,  sarcasms,  and 
abusive  epithets  that  have  been  heaped  upon  them,  would 
be  a  task  which  few  would  have  the  temerity  to  undertake, 
and  fewer  still  the  ability  to  perform.  Certainly,  in  this 
respect,  they  have  stood  alone,  as  no  single  section  of  the 
Christian  church  in  modern  times  has  had  to  bear  the  load 
of  reproach  which  they  have  been  called  to  sustain.  The 
reason  of  this  we  have  no  disposition,  at  present,  to  inves- 
tigate. If  the  authors  of  these  reiterated  persecutions  ex- 
pected to  arrest  the  progress  of  Methodism  by  them,  or  to 
silence  and  shame  its  ministers,  they  have  been  most 
obviously  disappointed.  Where,  we  would  ask,  have  any 
of  its  advocates  been  silenced  by  sarcasm?  When  has 
there  appeared  a  publication,  however  illiberal  in  its  spirit, 
or  opprobrious  in  its  language,  that  has  not  been  ably  an- 
swered and  triumphantly  refuted  ?  Who,  that  has  had  the 
confidence  to  attack  the  system  of  Methodism,  has  not 
retired  from  the  contest  confused  and  confounded  ?  What 
victories  have  its  enemies  achieved  by  all  the  hostility  they 
have  evinced,  and  the  warfare  they  have  waged  against  it  ? 
Is  not  Methodism  indebted  to  them,  though  indirectly  and 
unintentionally,  for  some  of  the  ablest  and  most  unanswera- 
ble apologies  that  have  appeared  in  its  defence  ?    Has  not 


L1K1  :  I'll  BENS  135 

•  cution  uniformly  defeated  its  own  object  !  M.nv  of 
Mr.  Wesley's  most  valuable  publications  would  never  hove 
been  called  into  exist  nee,  bad  not  his  enemies  pron 
him  to  vindicate  bis  proceedings,  against  the  slandeioai 
accusations  by  which  they  attempted  to  blacken  his  ch 
ter.  Had  nol  the  poet-laureate  endeaToored  to  stigmatize 
the  founder  of  M.  thodism,  Mr.  id  tri- 

umphanl  defence  of  thai  renerable  man  would  never  ban 
seen  the  liuht.  And  if,  instead  of  lampooning  the  Metho- 
dists, Tatham  and  Russ<  1  bad  occupied  their  time  in 
Lna  to  - 1'-  -"uis  from  death,  and  performing  the  important 
duties  of  their  high  and  holy  vocation,  Mr.  D  paeon's 
raloable  L<  tt<  rs,  from  which  many  hare  d<  much 

pleasure  and  profit,  would   oof  hare  appeared  in  print. 
I  [ence,  a  «■  know  not  the  ad  indi- 

rectly derive  from  th«  ir  enemies.     W  hat  they  intend  as 
evil,  God  overrules  for  good  ;  even  the  wrath  of  man  is 
made,  by  his  wonder-working  providence,  to  redound  to 
his  glory  and  his  people's  profit     1 1 < -  turns  the  oomu 
many  an  Ahithophel  into  foolishness.    Whether  Methodism 
would  have  me1  \\  nh  such  unrivalled  success,  and  have 
occupied  its  present  elevated  position,  had  the  plan.! 
the  world  attended  it.  i>  a  problem  which  it  is  i. 
impossible  lor  us  to  soh 

Hut  to  return  from  this  digression  to  the  subject  of  our 
narrative.     May  20th,  aft  edhalland 

ton,   be   returned   to    Mane!..  -   he, 

M  much   affected   to   find   the   whole  road  crowded  with 

drunken    and    idle    people,    who    had   been   at   the    r 
Notwithstanding  the  bloody  war  in  which  w< 
and  the  general  stagnation  of  trade,  the  people  are  unaf- 
fected,  and   are    as    fond  of  their  pleasures,  as   if  all    was 
prosperity,  peace,  and  plenty.* 

May  21s1  be  remarks ;  M  1  rode  to  Moseley,  and  preached 
at  two,  in  the  pretty  chapel  which  our  friends  have  en 


136  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

there,  since  I  was  labouring  in  this  country  twelve  years 
ago.  We  had  a  large  congregation  and  a  refreshing  time, 
the  people  in  general  being  much  affected.  J  then  rode  to 
Delph,  where  I  had  the  happiness  to  see  the  chapel  quite 
crowded.  I  was  glad  to  find  that  the  seed  I  had  been 
enabled  to  sow  here,  twelve  years  ago,  had  taken  root,  and 
produced  such  a  harvest."  Many  of  the  poor  being  in 
great  distress  for  want  of  employment,  both  at  Manchester 
and  Salford,  he  preached  a  sermon  on  the  occasion,  from 
Micah  vi,  8,  in  which  he  made*  a  powerful  appeal  to  the 
congregation  on  their  behalf,  which  was  followed  by  a 
collection  for  their  relief.  "  I  was  favoured,"  says  he, 
"  with  freedom  in  speaking  ;  and  while  I  was  recommend- 
ing mercy  toward  those  in  distress,  many  tears  were 
shed." 

The  conference  this  year  (1793)  was  held  in  Leeds. 
Here  the  subject  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper 
was  again  resumed.  It  was  found  that  the  agitation  in 
the  connection  concerning  it  had  increased  rather  than 
subsided,  during  the  past  year.  The  consequence  was, 
there  was  a  numerical  diminution  in  the  members  of 
society, — a  circumstance  that  had  rarely  occurred  at  any 
former  period.  The  result  of  the  deliberations  and  deci- 
sions of  the  preachers  on  this  subject  will  be  seen  by 
referring  to  the  circular  letter  which  the  conference 
addressed  to  the  members  of  the  Methodist  societies 
throughout  England,  dated  Leeds,  August  6th,  1793. 

"Dear  Brethren, — We  feel  it  our  duty  to  send  you 
this  address,  lest  the  insinuations  of  any,  who  are  enemies 
to  our  prosperity  and  unity,  should  grieve  your  minds  and 
injure  the  work  of  God. 

"  Our  venerable  father,  who  has  gone  to  his  great  re- 
ward, lived  and  died  a  member  and  a  friend  of  the  Church 
of  England.     His  attachment  to  it  was  so  strong  and  so 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH   :  137 

unshaken,  that  nothing  but   irresistibb 

him  to  deviate  from  it  IB  an\  hi    many  in-: 

God  him— If  obliged  bin  to  do  this:  ].■ 
linn  forth  into  I  ti  and  open  fields,  and  afterwanl 

ace  hundreds  <>t  men  whenever  passed 
through  the  usual  forma  of  ordination.    To  all  these  irriritnl 

provi  Mr.  W  .  M-  \  Mibmitwd,  though,  at 

with  great  reluctance.     In  consequent  •  I  bimeelf 

obliged  to  erect  chapels,  which  were  neith< 

ding  to  tin  usual  method  of  the  Chun  .land, 

nor  in  the  leaal  subject  to  the  direction  of  th< 
episcopacy,     [n  all  iheee  thing!  he  deriated  from  the  Es- 
tablishment, merely  on  the  ground  of  unavoidable  i 
sity  ;   or.  which  ■  the  same  to  I  truly  pious  soul,  from  the 

deal  manifested  proridence  and  will  of  God 

'■  A    dilemma   or  difficulty,  of  ■   similar    kind,  lias    been 

experienced  b]  u>  since  the  death  of  Mr.  \\ «  sley.     A  ft  w 
of  our  societies  bare  r.  peatedlj   importuned  ui 
thrui  the  lilum  <u  the  Lord'a  supper  from 

own  preachers,     Bui  desirous  of  adhering  tly  to 

the  plan  which  Mr.  W  esley  laid  down, 

1  their  request.      The  subject,  how  now 

come  to  in  crisis.     We  find  thai  we  I 
but  to  comply  with  their  requisition,  or  entirely  to 
thrm  !    O  brethren,  we  hate  putting  awaj  '  especiallj  I 
who  arc  members  of  the  mystical  bod)  oi  l  id  our 

dearly  beloved  brethren ;  and  whom  only  error,  ■ 

do  err,  is  that  of  the  judgment,  and  not  of  the  heart.      \nd 

em  we  suffer  these  to  forsake  their  faithful  pastors,  and 

bly  to  run  into  the  jaws  of  some  ravening  wolf,  when 

the  peinl  in  contest  must  be  allowed  by  all  to  be  imejjtwltei 

to  salvation  | 

"  But  we   arc   not    insensible,  that  our  brethren  on   the 

other  side  may  justly  urge,  in  nor  our  inter*  ear  to 

you  as  theirs  |     Why  then  will  you  grieve  us  in  so  tender 


138  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

a  point?  Why  will  you  oppose  us  in  those  particulars 
which  we  think  of  very  great  importance  to  the  prosperity 
of  Zion  ?  Why  will  you  force  upon  us  a  term  of  com- 
munion to  which  we  have  never  consented,  or  expect  us 
to  remain  united  to  those  who  will  be  ever  grieving  us,  by 
pressing  the  necessity  of  compliance  with  that  which  we 
judge  to  be  highly  injurious  to  the  cause  of  God  ? 

"  Such  is  the  dilemma,  dear  brethren,  to  which  we  have 
been  reduced.  We  allow  the  full  force  of  the  arguments, 
which  the  brethren  who  disapprove  of  the  administration  of 
the  Lord's  supper,  urge  as  above  ;  nor  can  we,  on  any  con- 
sideration, lay  on  them  a  new  term  of  communion,  or  suf- 
fer a  single  person  among  them  to  be  grieved  by  the  rea- 
sonings of  those  who  wish  for  an  innovation  in  our  plan. 
We  therefore  weighed  this  delicate  subject  with  the  great- 
est seriousness  and  deliberation,  feeling  the  tenderest  .pity 
for  those  of  our  brethren  who  thought  themselves  ag- 
grieved ;  and  came  finally  to  the  following  resolution : — 
*  That  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  supper  shall  not  be  ad- 
ministered by  the  preachers  in  any  part  of  our  connection, 
except  where  the  whole  society  is  unanimous  for  it,  and 
will  not  be  contented  without  it ;  and  even  in  those  few  ex- 
empt societies  it  shall  be  administered,  as  far  as  practica- 
ble, in  the  evening  only,  and  according  to  the  form  of  the 
Church  of  England.'  For  we  could  not  bear  that  the 
sacrament  which  was  instituted  by  our  Saviour  as  a  bond 
of  peace  and  union  should  become  a  bone  of  contention ; 
and  are  determined  never  to  sanction  the  administration  of 
that  holy  ordinance  for  the  purpose  of  strife  and  division. 

"  You  may  clearly  see  from  hence,  dear  brethren,  that 
it  is  the  people,  in  the  instances  referred  to,  who  have  forced 
us  into  this  further  deviation  from  our  union  to  the  Church 
of  England.  Still,  we  wish  to  be  united  to  it  as  a  body  at 
large.  The  few  societies  which  answer  the  description 
mentioned  in  the  above  resolution,  need  but  have  a  small 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  II  tfSOK.  139 

influence  on  the  whole  connection.     We  cannot,  how< 
we  will  not,  part  with  any  ot*  our  dear  Sock,  who  1<>\  i 
and  111:111.  on  account  of  unessential  points.    For  we  1<>\  1 
all,  and  are  the  -  of  you  Ml    Co  Hut 

we  «  ntrtat  om  - 

to  continue,  as  usual,  m  oonaectiou  \n  it h  the  Chun 
England;  and  we  shall,  with  great  cheerfulness  and  con- 
tentment, labour  among  them  according  to  that  simph 
ginal  plan  of  Methodism  established  and  l< 
venerable  friend. 

••  \\  e  most  0  1  you,  in  conclusion,  t!. 

tin-  most  unfeigned  loyaltj  to  the  kit  [ 
tachmem  to  the  constitution.     We  reverence  the  govern- 
menl ;    are   coi  ol    the   man)    I  m  e  enjoy 

under  our   Lrr.i<  reign,  and  are  thankful  I    I 

them  ;  and  do  earnestly  and  sincerely  recommend 
principles  and  spirit  to  yon. 

u  We  remain,  dear  brethren, 
-  ^  our  most  srT  • 

M  \nd  faithful 

The  conference  also  deemed  it  expedient  to  address  an- 
other letter  to  the  so  to  exonerate  ,;  -  from 
certain  falsi  .'ions  which  had  been  brought  against 
them,  and  circulated  through  the  connection  by  m 
trustees  of  three  of  our  chapels  fan  I  !  Bristol. 
The  nature  of  their  accusations  will  be  clearly  understood 
by  the  following  "Address  totkt  Members  of  th  Methodist 

from  tin   ( '"ii/t  rena   tut 
August  8th.  1798?— 

u  Dear  Brethren, — Having  received  ■  printed  1. 
signed  by  many  of  die  trustees  of  our  new  chapel  in  Lon- 
don, and  of  the  Broadmead  and  Ghiinea-streel  chapels  in 

Bristol,  with  the  copy  of  another  printed  letter,  addressed 


140  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  the  trustees  and  others  in  the  Methodist  connection,  and 
being  conscious  that  the  letter  to  the  trustees  is  full  of 
misrepresentations,  injurious  to  the  cause  of  God  in  gene- 
ral, and  to  the  credit  of  the  whole  body  of  preachers  in 
particular,  we  think  ourselves  bound  to  address  you  on 
this  occasion. 

"  The  letter  above  referred  to  accuses  us  of  a  departure 
from  the  original  plan  of  Methodism.  But  we  deny  the 
charge  in  the  sense  intended  by  our  accusers.  We  have 
not  departed  from  the  plan  which  was  left  us  by  our  vene- 
rable father,  Mr.  Wesley,  in  the  smallest  degree,  except  in 
the  few  exempt  cases,  where  the  people  have  been  unani- 
mous for  the  Lord's  supper,  and  would  not  be  contented  with- 
out it ;  and  we  were  brought  to  the  awful  alternative  of 
granting  their  requisition  in  this  instance,  or  of  losing  them 
entirely  from  the  connection. 

"  A  dispensation  of  the  gospel  has  been  committed  to 
us ;  and  we  have,  in  obedience  to  the  call  of  God,  dis- 
pensed the  word  of  truth,  and  God  has  set  his  seal  thereto. 
Myriads  of  immortal  souls  have  been  awakened  and  con- 
verted by  our  ministry.  Many  thousands  of  these  are 
safely  lodged  in  Abraham's  bosom ;  and  many  thousands 
still  remain  under  our  care,  in  the  kingdom  and  patience 
of  Jesus.  We  cannot,  therefore,  sport  with  their  salvation ; 
we  dare  not  throw  stumbling-blocks  in  their  way  ;  nor  can 
we  bear  to  lose  them,  if  we  possibly  can  help  it,  till  we 
present  them  without  spot  and  blameless  before  the  pre- 
sence of  the  divine  glory.  But  we  are  determined,  as  a 
body,  to  remain  in  connection  with  the  Church  of  England  ; 
and  again  advise  you  to  be  satisfied  with  the  simple  origi- 
nal plan  of  Methodism,  which  has  been  so  wonderfully 
blessed  of  the  Lord. 

"  You  have  known  us  long,  and  loved  and  esteemed  us 
long  ;  and,  we  believe,  will  receive  our  solemn  declaration 
as  proceeding  from  upright  hearts.     And  we  do  assure  you, 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  KEN-  1  11 

that  we  have  no  desire  or  design  of  making  our 
tepareUi  rh>ir<:. 

"  \\ '«■    have    never   sanctioned    ordination    in    England, 
either  in  this  conference  or  in  any  other,  in  any  <!• 
or  even  attempted  to  do  it.     The  representation  of  u^ 
corning  this  point,  given  in  the  circular  letter  to  the  trus- 
tees, is  entirely  false.      Not  in    Wi    -  I r]  1184   '  .   l'<»r  many 
of  the  gentlemen  who  have  affixed  th»ir  signatures  to  dial 

letter   are    neither   membeTI   of    Om    SOci<  'v.    nor.    in    the 

general,  attendant  on  our  preaching.     Some  of  them,  with 

all  their  pretended  Zeal  for  the  Church  of   England,  have 

taken  seats  in  Dissenting  meeting-houses;  and  some  of 
them  professedly  hold  the  doctrine  of  me  serration  of 

devils  and  damned  spirits.       \nd  almost  all  those  of  them 

who  reside  in  London  bare  \\  ithheld  their  as  to  the 

use  for  ■  twelvemonth  past.     They  bav< 
taken  even  ■  pew  m  our  chapels,  or  contributed  to  the 

tance  «»f  our  }>o..r  Miperannu;.'  who  bare 

worn  themselves   out  in   the  God.      In  short,  we 

have  reason  to  fear,  that  they  intend  to  oppress  as,  till  they 

have  L">t  all  the  rule  and   power  into  their  hands.     Hut  the 
Lord  reigneth  ;   ha  is  our  friend,  and  yew  are  our  I'm 
and  through  grace  we  bars  fell   such  a  union  to  each 
other,  ;is  exceeds  every  thing  we  hare  known  before. 

"The  last  paragraph  in  their  letter  to  the  ' 
rniflfi/  itsetf:  where  it  is  intimated  that  some  of  our  body 
are  defective  in  loyalty.  Show  us  the  men.  and  the  proofs 
of  their  Lruilt,  and  we  will  instantly  cut  them  oil"  from  OUT 
connection,  as  unworthy  of  any  office  in  the  church  of 
God,  and  as  enemies  to  their  king  and  country.  "We  hold 
our  sovereign,  King  George,  in  high  estimation:  we  love 

our  country,  and  its  constitution;  and  as  far  as  Christian 
ministers  can  go,  Consistently  with  their  functions  and  the 
oracles  o(  God,  will  support  our  king  and  country  with  all 
we  are  and  have. 


142  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

"  Thus  we  have,  beloved  brethren,  borne  our  faithful 
testimony  against  the  misrepresentations  and  cruel  falsities 
mentioned  in  the  letter  above  referred  to.  We  now  leave 
the  whole  to  you.  *****  o  bear  us  before  the  throne 
of  God :  pray  much  for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  Zion, 
and  for 

"  Your  faithful  pastors  and  affectionate  brethren. 
"  Signed  in  behalf  of  the  conference, 

"  John  Pawson,  President, 
"  Thomas  Coke,  Secretary." 

From  the  preceding  letters,  it  will  be  seen  how  very 
difficult  it  was  to  preserve  the  peace  of  the  connection, 
and  to  prevent  divisions  from  taking  place  in  several  of 
the  societies.  A  union  of  opinion  it  seemed  impossible  to 
effect ;  and  a  division  of  sentiment  frequently  creates  an 
alienation  of  affection  from  those  who  differ  from  us. 
Hence  parties  in  Christian  societies  are  often  formed. 
Nor  can  we  contemplate  the  state  of  the  connection  at  this 
time  without  perceiving  with  what  extreme  reluctance 
the  preachers  sanctioned  any  measures  that  tended  in  the 
least  degree  to  withdraw  the  affections  of  the  people  from 
the  Church.  They  wished  to  follow  the  footsteps  of  their 
illustrious  founder.  But  in  this  dilemma  what  could  they 
do  1  Where  whole  societies  desired  to  receive  the  sacra- 
ment of  the  Lord's  supper  from  the  hands  of  their  preach- 
ers, they  felt  themselves  conscientiously  bound  to  comply 
with  their  wishes.  Had  they  acted  otherwise,  the  proba- 
bility was,  that  those  societies  would  have  withdrawn 
themselves  from  their  communion,  and  entered  other  folds 
where  they  would  have  been  gladly  welcomed,  and  where 
all  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  would  have  been  adminis- 
tered to  them.  And  we  cannot  conceive  that  there  was 
any  reason  why  the  members  of  other  societies,  who 
thought  differently,  should  have  taken  offence  at  this  mea- 


I, IKI  I'll  BENSON  1  13 

MVe,  since  no  attein  made  to  disturb  their   peace, 

or  to  prevent  them  from  receiving  the  ordinance  of  the 
1  pei  in  the  chmcb  to  which  they  had  been  nc- 

customed  I  i 

Nor    was    this    the   only    circumstam  se    of  |    peculiarly 

I  nature  to  which  the  preachers  wen  subject,  in 
maintaining  the    peace  of  the    connection.      \    spirit   of 

ordinatioB  prevailed  in  many  of  the  circuits.  The 
people  refii  •  the  preachen  i  them 

by  thi  i  illy  urLr«-d 

i  want  of  ministerial  abilities.  In  one  circuit,  at  the 
instance  of  the  people's  complaints,  the  three  ptaechers 
stationed  in  il  were  lummoi  from  s  neigh- 

bouring county,  to  he  tried  at  a  district  m<  on  the 

pound  of  incompetency  foe  the  work  of  the  ministry.     One 
of  these  preach  quently  honoured  « 

.  and  was  deemed  worthy  of  sustaining  the  h 
office  in  the  Methodist  connection.     Soon  alter  Mr.  Ben- 
son's reinrn  from  the  conference  to  his  circuit  at  Mai 
ter,  ••  being  informed,'1  as  hi  by  sundry 

that  our  friends  si  Stockport  wen  red  at 

the  appointmeni  of  pit-;  le  by  the  conf< 

their  circuit,  and  that   th  lately    refused   to  n 

Mr. ,  I  rode  there,  and  preached  at  noon  ami  niLrht, 

spending  most  of  the  intermediate  tune  in  reasoning  with 
our  principal  friends,  snd  endeavouring  to  persuade  them, 

that    they    were    mistaken    in  th<-    man.    ami  that  lie   would 

probably  be  both  very  acceptable  and  vety  nseful;  and  I 

had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  most  of  them  much  influx 

by  what  1  said,  and  inclined  to  retract  their  rash  resolution, 

and  to  receive  quietly  the  preachers  sent  to  Isboui  asssng 
them."     He  then  adds.  "  Mr.  Mayer  and   Mr.   Lavender, 

junior,  ended  upon  me  to-d ay.  and  informed  me,  that   thev 

held  a  tenders1  meeting  last  night ;    and  that  they  were 
come  to  the  resolution  to  receive    Mr.  ,   as   I   had 


144  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

advised  them  to  do.  I  now  see  the  hand  of  God  in  direct- 
ing me  to  go  to  Stockport,  as  I  do  not  think  that  any  other 
person  would  have  had  such  influence  with  the  Stockport 
people  as  God  gave  me." 

October  15th  he  writes  :  "In  the  morning  at  Oldham- 
street,  and  in  the  forenoon  at  Salford,  we  had  refreshing 
seasons  indeed.  At  the  latter  place  I  was  much  assisted 
in  preaching,  and  my  heart  was  very  much  drawn  out  in 
prayer  for  the  people,  particularly  after  the  sermon ;  and 
while  I  was  pleading  with  the  Lord  that  he  would  give 
me  all  that  were  in  the  chapel,  as  he  had  given  Paul  all 
that  were  in  the  ship,  the  whole  congregation,  almost 
without  exception,  was  exceedingly  affected.  Tears  were 
shed  in  abundance  on  all  sides  ;  and  I  trust  there  were 
few,  if  any,  present,  who  did  not  determine  to  be  devoted 
to  God.  In  the  evening,  I  preached  again  at  Oldham- 
street ;  and  warned  a  very  large  congregation,  after  the 
example  of  Noah,  (Heb.  xi,  7,)  to  prepare  for  the  saving  of 
their  souls." 

January  12th,  1794,  he  says :  "  Although  my  wife  was 
very  poorly  in  the  morning,  and  rather  unwilling  I  should 
leave  her,  yet,  as  I  was  expected  to  preach  at  Altringham, 
and  no  person  was  at  hand  to  go  in  my  place,  I  endea- 
voured to  commend  her  to  God,  and  went.  Upon  my 
return  I  found  she  had  been  worse,  and  had  been  obliged 
to  send  for  the  doctor  again. — 13th.  Last  night  she  was  so 
ill  all  night  long,  that  I  slept  none.  O  that  the  Lord 
would  appear  for  us,  and  grant  us  the  expected  deliver- 
ance!  My  trust  is  in  him! — 17th.  After  passing  a  most 
distressing  night,  she  said  to  me,  about  four  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  '  I  think,  my  dear,  there  is  no  way  but  one  :  I 
must  die,  and  leave  you  and  the  sweet  children.'  I  an- 
swered, '  My  dear,  let  us  trust  in  God.  None  ever  trusted 
in  him  and  were  confounded.  He  never  failed  us  yet. 
He  never  denied  us  in  any  thing  in  which  we  particularly 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENfl  1  l-r> 

and  earnestly  asked  his  help.  And  I  believe  he  will  now 
hear  us.  and  spare  your  life.  I  IDM  with  a  full  heart,  and 
retired  into  another  room.  I  considered  wi|h  myself, '  \m 
not  I  ■  worshipper  of  the  trm  God,  thi  God  of  Israel,  the 
and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ*  And  may  I 
not  expect  help  from  him  in  tins  tune  of  need  !  Did  not 
the  rery  heathen  exp<  ct  help  from  their  I  i,  and 

may  not  I  look  i<»r  it  from  the  one  God  Am  not  I  a 
Christian  1  a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jeans  Christ  1  And  did 
not  In-  do  cur<>  m  the  days  «>r  his  flesh  !  and  has  h<-  not 
given  us  repeated  promises  thai  he  still  will,  if  we  apply 
to  him  ;  that  In*  will  hear  ami  answer  prayef  !  I  then 
in  the  eighth  of  Matthew,  the  story  of  Christ's  healing  the 
centurion's  servant.  ifterward  1  turned  t<»  Hebrews  \m. 
and  read,  'Jesus  Christ,  th.  iterday,  to-day,  and 

far  everT  *  II<-  knows."  i  thought  with  myself,  "that  my 
wife  i-  sick.     Il<  can  heal  I  lily  as  he  healed  the 

centurion's  servant  Hut  have  1  reason  to  think  he  will! 
What    encouragen*  at    fa  ren   me   to  expect   it  ? 

or  oven  to  desire  such  ■  thing  "  1  then  turned  to  the 
Epistle  of  James,  and  read,  '  [s  any  sick  among  you.  let 
him  call  for  the  elders  <>i  the  church,  and  ht  them  piny 
over  him.     ind  tin-  prayer  of  faith  shall  sai  k,  and 

the  Lord  shall  raise  him  u|>.'     1  led  to  lay  hold 

of  tins  passage  bj  faith.  1  kneeled  down,  and  spread  it 
before  the  Lord,  in  full  assurance  thai  he  would  make  it 

good;    and   I  thought,  a^  .'   was  day  I   would  send 

tVr  two  <>r  three  pious  friends,  and  we  would  pray  together 
over  my  afflicted  wife,     [n  the  mean  num.  my  laitt 
still  more  strengthened  by  reading  and  considering  sundry 
other  pas-  i  *  w  .  22,  '  VI ;.  ttsoerer  things 

ye  shall  ask  in  prayer,  believing,  ye  shall  receive  ;'  and 
John  \iv.  13,  l  I.  '  Whatsoeveff  ye  shall  a-k  in  my  nam.-, 
that  will  1  do,  thai  the  Father  may  be  glorified  m  the  S 
It'  ye  shall  ask  any  thing  in  my  name,  I  will  do  it.'     I  then 


146  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

read  Psalm  xxxiv,  which  was  unspeakably  sweet  to  my 
soul,  especially  the  following  passages  :  '  I  sought  the 
Lord,  and  he  heard  me,  and  delivered  me  from  all  my 
fears.  They  looked  unto  him,  and  were  lightened ;  and 
their  faces  were  not  ashamed.  This  poor  man  cried,  and 
the  Lord  heard  him,  and  saved  him  out  of  all  his  troubles 
— The  eyes  of  the  Lord  are  upon  the  righteous,  and  his 
ears  are  open  unto  their  cry. — They  cry,  and  the  Lord 
heareth,  and  delivereth  them  out  of  all  their  troubles. 
The  Lord  is  nigh  unto  them  that  are  of  a  broken  heart ; 
and  saveth  such  as  be  of  a  contrite  spirit.  Many  are  the 
afflictions  of  the  righteous  ;  but  the  Lord  delivereth  him 
out  of  them  all.'  I  now  found  a  strong  confidence  that  the 
Lord  would  deliver  my  wife,  and  wras  led  to  desire  that  he 
would  do  it  this  day.  This  I  earnestly  and  repeatedly 
asked  of  him,  with  some  expectation  that  my  request  would 
be  granted.  I  then  rose  from  my  knees,  and  sat  down, 
musing  upon  the  passages  of  Scripture  just  mentioned. 
After  taking  a  little  breakfast,  I  went  into  her  room.  Im- 
mediately upon  my  entering  she  said,  '  My  dear,  be  not 
discouraged :  I  believe  I  shall  be  delivered  soon.'  I 
replied,  '  I  believe  you  will ;  for  my  soul  has  been  won- 
derfully refreshed  in  praying  for  you.'  In  a  few  minutes 
she  was  safely  delivered  ;  and  divers  circumstances  with 
regard  to  the  help  which  she  unexpectedly  had,  manifested 
still  more  the  providence  of  God  over  us  for  good.  O 
that  we  may  henceforth  live  to  his  glory !" 

In  all  ages  of  the  world,  and  in  instances  innumerable, 
God  has  graciously  granted  signal  answers  to  the  prayers 
of  his  people  in  seasons  of  deep  distress.  And  instead  of 
trusting  in  an  arm  of  flesh,  and  looking  for  deliverance 
from  second  causes,  were  they,  in  all  the  importunity 
of  faithful  prayer,  to  make  their  requests  known  unto 
God,  the  interpositions  of  divine  Providence,  on  their  be- 
half, would  be  much  more  frequent  and  extraordinary  than 


LIFE  \  117 

they  now  arc     It  is  said  of  Asa,  thai  uin  his  di 

;    not  unto  the    Lord,   hut   to   the  phyi  And 

many    imitate    DM   example,   and   with   no 
"  Hi>  inakiuLr  nae  of  physicians  was  his  duty  ;  but  trusting 

to  them,  and  expecting  that   from   tin  in,  whuh  was  to  he 
had  from  God  only,  iril  bit  lil  and   nil  lolly.      The  lndp 

of  creatures  moat  always  be  need  with  an  eye  to  the  I 
tor,  and  m  dependence  upon  him.  who  makes  ■ 
creature    that    |q    Ul   which   it   is,   and    without    w  horn  the 

ui<j>t  ekilful  and  faithful  are  physiciana  <>t"  no  rahi<  .     8  i 
apt  are  we  to  be  looking  to  man  moretli  I  lor  help." 

The  gracious  deliverance  which  God  bad  Touchaafed to 
Mr.  Benaon'i  suffering  partner,  in  answer  to  b 
emboldened  him,  on  other  oc  I  bis  tru-t  in  the 

Lord  and  expect  great  things  at  hie  ha  H        .  \pnl 

4th,  he  a  rites  :  "  Tins  afternoon,  Mr.  Bern  ick  and  I  called 
upon  Thomas  Case,  in  the  Infirmary,  who.  by  ■  large 
atone,  reared  upon  cme  end,  Galling  upon  him,  had  o 
Ins  legs  dreadfully  broken,  and  the  other  bruised  and 
mangled.  We  found  bim  in  great  pain,  and  yet  joyfully 
praising  ( Sod  tor  the  afflictive  disr* 

that  n  will  work  lor  Ins  good.     While  I  was  praying  with 
him.  and  expressing  ■  confidence  in  the  divine  pow< 
being  able  to  heal  bim  immediately,  be  was  filled  with 
consolation,  and  broke  out  aloud  in  the  strong  languaj 
praise,     among  m  reral  expr  i  and  gratitude 

to  God,  ottered  by  him,  was  tin  that  admirable 

liviiiu,  which  begins  with  this  line, 

1  I'll  praise  inv  M 
Finding  his  paia  suddenly  removed,  b  at,  '1-  not 

my  leg  healed  "     It  was  not  healed  ;  but  the  pain  was  so 
abated,  and  it  was  >o  much  better, that  he  was  able  to  suf- 
fer its  being  eel  the  next  day.     Blessed  be  God,  it  « 
precious  opportunity." 


148  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

April  22d  he  says  :  "  At  Middleton,  in  the  morning,  we 
had  a  most  refreshing  season,  while  I  proved  and  applied 
the  doctrine  of  Christ's  resurrection.  My  own  mind  was 
much  affected,  and  so  were  the  minds  of  the  people. 
Tears  were  shed  in  abundance,  and  many  were  filled 
with  strong  consolation."  At  one  o'clock  and  at  five  he 
preached  at  Rochdale,  where  the  congregations  were  large 
and  attentive.  "  The  Lord,"  says  he,  "  was  with  us  at 
noon,  while  I  explained  Isaiah  lxiii,  1 ;  and  in  the  evening, 
when  I  preached  from,  '  Lovest  thou  me  V  " 

At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Miss  Loxdale,  he  went,  on 
the  22d  of  May,  to  open  a  new  chapel  at  Bilstone.  He 
spent  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day  with  Mr.  Loxdale 
at  Bradley-Lodge.  "  I  had,"  says  he,  "  some  more  con- 
versation with  Miss  Loxdale,  who  appears  to  be  a  lady  of 
an  undaunted,  as  well  as  of  a  most  sweet,  spirit,  and 
remarkably  wise  and  prudent.  But  her  principal  qualifi- 
cation seems  to  be  her  piety  ;  her  love  to  God,  with  which 
her  heart  seems  to  be  filled."  This  lady,  after  having 
adorned  her  Christian  profession  for  several  years,  became 
the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Coke,  and  died  at  York,  a  happy 
witness  of  the  renewing  and  sanctifying  influence  of  the 
Holy  Ghost.  On  the  25th,  Mr.  Benson  opened  the  new 
chapel  in  the  morning,  by  preaching  from  Prov.  xi,  30, 
"  He  that  winneth  souls  is  wise."  "  The  congregation," 
he  observes,  "  was  much  larger  than  the  place  would  con- 
tain, and  the  people  were  much  affected.  I  preached 
again  in  the  afternoon,  at  two  o'clock ;  when  still  more 
were  present,  and  we  had  a  precious  opportunity." 

At  Wednesbury  and  Dudley  the  societies  were  greatly 
agitated  by  the  contentions  which  existed  among  them,  for 
and  against  the  introduction  of  the  Lord's  supper ;  on 
which  account  the  most  pious  and  peaceable  members 
were  exceedingly  grieved.  In  order,  if  possible,  to  allay 
the  fierceness  of  these  disputes,  Mr.  Benson  took  an  op- 


LIKE  OK  JOSEPH  1  19 

(totality  of  visiting  them ;  and  "I  end 
"to  call  the  attention  of  tin-  bee  omething  : 

important  than  what  is  at  ores*  at  a  bone  of  contention 
among  them  ;  insisting,  at  Wednesbmy,  on  faith  working 
!>\  lore  :  .'Hid  at  Dudley,  on  a  new  en  atari  ."  Hut  though 
then-  were  contentions  and  disputes  ins  o  ieties,yet 

the  work  of  God  continued  to  prosper.     Uter  having 
tickets  throughout  the  circuit  at  the  midsummer  quarterly 
visitation,  Mr.  Bens  ■  1  am  happy  to  find  that  the 

claseu  i  are,  in  p  a<  ral,  n  rj  1  •  •  I) .  and  that  tin 
increased  not  less  than  two  hundred  th 

July  8th  he  observes:  •   I'his  evening  the  u 
the  Oldham-streel  and  Salford  chapela  met  to  cousmI 
an  answer  to  b  letto  r  from  the  London  and  Bristol  trusi 
A  spirit  of  ibrbearai  e,  and  love  prevailed  among 

them.     They  were  imanimous,  1st.  In  opposing  the  ordi- 
nation of  the  preachers.     'Jd.  In  d<  siring  the  continuance 
of  th<-  itinerant  plan.     3d.  In  recommending  some  pi 
prevent  the  abuse  of  power,  now  in  the  hands  of  th< 
sistant  preachers,  respecting  the  admission  and  exclusion 
of  members  ol  society,  and  the  election  and  discontinuance 

of  stewards    and    leaders.       Many  of  the    Salford    in. 
wish  tin-  Lord's  supper  to  be   administered  in  their  C 

by  the  preachers,  it"  they  can  have  it  in  p<  ace  ;  but  rather 
than  disturb  the  peace  of  tin'  society,  they  are  wiQj 

be  without  It." 

To  form  plans  which  will  effectually  prevent  the  abuse 
of  power  in  ministers,  is  impossible.  Nothing  can  operate 
aa  a  prei  entive  to  the  abuse  of  any  thing  of  which  we  may 
be  possessed.  You  can  only  deprive  ministers  of  the  power 
of  admitting  members  into  the  church,  and  of  expelling 

them  from  it,  by  dispossessing  them   of  that    power,   and 
transferring  it  into  other  hands.      And  where  there    . 
power  of  governing  the  church,  there  is  no  responsibility 
ibr  the  purity  of  that  church.     And  on  whom  but  ministers 


150  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

does  the  government  of  Christian  churches  devolve  ?  God 
forms  churches  by  the  instrumentality  of  his  ministers. 
They  are  the  organs  of  power  in  the  conversion  of  sinners, 
and  thus  fitting  them  to  enjoy  the  communion  of  saints ; 
and  is  it  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  government  of  the 
churches,  which,  under  God,  they  have  formed,  must  then 
be  resigned  into  the  hands  of  others  ?  "  Mr.  Wesley,  in 
the  beginning  of  our  system,  like  every  other  originator  of 
a  Christian  community,  had  the  sole  and  unrestricted  power 
of  admitting  and  excluding  members.  This,  of  course,  can- 
not be  denied.  The  preachers  who  form  the  conference 
are  acknowledged  as  the  successors  to  Mr.  Wesley's  pow- 
er." And  whatever  guards  may  be  employed  to  prevent 
the  abuse  of  that  power,  still,  where  it  exists,  it  may  be 
abused  ;  nor  can  all  the  precaution  in  the  world  prevent  it. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

The  Bristol  conference — Mr.  Moore  prohibited  from  preaching  in  The 
Room — Division  in  the  society — Mr.  Benson  takes  part  with  the  trus- 
tees— Ebenezer  chapel  built — Mr.  Benson's  journey  into  Cornwall — 
Preaches  there  to  immense  congregations,  and  with  singular  success — 
The  Manchester  conference — Plan  of  Pacification  formed — The  New- 
castle letter — Mr.  Benson's  answer  to  it — Mr.  Kilham's  trial  and  ex- 
pulsion at  the  London  conference — Formation  of  the  New  Connection 
^Extracts  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal — Edward  Hare's  character  and 
decease — Conference  held  in  Bristol — Mr.  Benson  chosen  president — 
His  letter  to  Mr.  Dawson — Conference  at  Manchester — Mr.  Benson 
declines  attending  it. 

Hitherto  the  annual  conference  had  been  held  only 
at  London  and  Bristol,  Leeds  and  Manchester ;  and  this 
year,  (1794,)  in  its  usual  course,  it  met  at  Bristol.  Here 
the  members  of  the  society  were  greatly  divided  in  their 
sentiments  concerning  the   administration  of  the  Lord's 


LIFE  OP  JOSEPH  BENS  151 

supper  in  our  chapels  by  the  preachers.     The  rr  - 
Tho  1!<>  »m,  as  die  chapel  in  Broadrnead  s 

•  chap  I.  irere  onanimonaly  and  decidedly 
opposed  to  this  measure,  and  bad  prerioasly  circu 

-  through  the  kingdom,  exp  ii  hostility 

againsl  it.  and  with  the  obri<  a  of  enkindling 

flame  I  in  tin-  connection.     Bol  ■  l.ir«i.-  ma 

ot"th<'  members  in  that  societ)  wereol  an  opposite  opinion, 
being  exceedingly  desirous  of  having  the  ordinance 
ministered  in  their  <»\mi  chapels.     The  conference  com- 
menced its  sittings,  Monday,  July  28th.     Mr.  Benson  had 

in   Bristol   sereral  days  prerioasly,  which  arl 
him  opportunities  of  knowing  the  state  and  circi 
of  the  society.     M  I  bare  been,"  I  ■  applied  to,  by 

the  rn  bapels  h  ■  ad  the  next  year  in 

this  city;  and  baring  sought  direction  of  God,  and  com- 
mitted the  matter  to  bim,  1  bare  consented,  if  the  bn 
iu  conference  think  it  best  I  trust  tin 

Mill  dispose  of  me  as  shall  be  most  tor  In-  ad  the 

edification  of  his  people. —  \>  We  were  fully  em- 

ployed last  week,  beginning  business  regularly  at  six  in 
the  morning,  immediately  alter  preaching,  and  continuing, 
with  only  the  intermission  of  one  hour,  till  pas 
beginning  at  two,  and  continuing  till  fire,  or  some  time 
after.  The  congregations  bare  been  remarkably  I 
and  many  profess  to  bare  found  peace  with  God  since  the 
beginning  of  the  conference.  We  hare  had  blessed  ac- 
counts of  an  enlargement  of  the  work  of  God  from  many 

•     rilly  from    i  ork^hire  ;   and  it   appears,  thai  in 

onrse  of  the  past  year,  almosl  ten  thousand  members 

added  to  the  -  Mr.  Benson  being ap- 

ted  to  preach  before  the  conferen<  e,  took  for  hi 

1  Cor.  xii,  25,  "That  there  should  be  DO  a  the 

body."     He  observes,  ••  1  found  much  liberty  in  speaking; 

and  was  enabled  to  lay  befc  ugregation 


152  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

the  evil  nature  and  the  destructive  effects  of  a  division  in 
the  body  of  Christ.  Some  were  very  much  affected,,  and 
I  hope  good  was  done."  This  sermon  has  since  been 
printed ;  and  while  we  admire  the  ability  of  the  estimable 
author,  and  give  him  full  credit  for  the  sincerity  of  his 
opinion,  and  the  expression  of  his  hope  that  good  was 
done,  yet  it  is  a  questionable  matter  whether  that  hope 
was  well  founded.  That  it  gratified  a  certain  description 
of  his  hearers,  whose  opinions  coincided  with  his  own, 
cannot  be  doubted.  But  while  the  trustees,  in  whose  chapel 
he  preached,  were  pleased,  the  great  bulk  of  his  hearers 
were  offended.  The  frightful  picture  wdiich  he  drew  of 
the  sin  of  schism,  and  the  pointed  and  severe  things  which 
he  uttered  against  those  who  were  guilty  of  this  sin,  ex- 
cited the  prejudice  of  many,  who  considered  the  sermon 
personal,  and  more  calculated  to  fan  the  flame  of  discord 
than  to  extinguish  it.  And  to  his  great  grief,  he  soon  found 
that  his  hopes  were  cut  off;  for,  says  he,  "  Alas!  next  day 
I  found  both  parties  were  mutually  opposed  to  each  other; 
and  that  those  whom  the  reproof  and  exhortation  most  suit- 
ed, were  least  disposed  to  take  them."  In  the  early  part 
of  the  conference  he  was  appointed  to  the  Bristol  circuit ; 
but  toward  the  close  of  it,  considering  the  critical  situation 
in  which  he  should  be  placed  by  such  an  appointment,  he 
greatly  desired  to  effect  a  change.  "  Seeing,"  says  he, 
"  no  prospect  of  peace,  I  determined,  if  possible,  to  get 
myself  appointed  for  another  circuit.  But  many  of  the 
preachers  had  gone  to  their  circuits  ;  those  that  remained 
were  unwilling  to  alter  what  had  been  done  ;  so  that  the 
conference  broke  up,  and  I  remained  upon  the  list  for  Bris- 
tol." On  returning  to  Manchester  to  prepare  for  his  re- 
moval, he  says,  "  I  was  in  great  perplexity  of  mind,  not 
being  able  to  determine  whether  to  keep  my  appointment 
or  not.  Mr.  Mather,  Mr.  Pawson,  and  Mr.  Clarke,  being 
with  me  in  the  coach,  we  had  much  conversation  on  the 


I. II ■  j;  OF  JOSEPH  BBSS  133 

subject,  and  they  all  strongly  adVisi  d  me  to  go  to  [; 
m  appoint 

Allguet  .'iOth  lie  lia^   this   MCOfd  m  his  journal:    •■ 

night,  at  Newcastle,  I  had  i  reiy  rosnsfkahlri  dream.  I 
imagined  myself  to  be  coaweyed  t<»  1 1 1  *  -  brink  of  ■  way 

rapid  river,  deep  and  wide,  down  which  multitudes  <»i  men 

and  women  w«  to  foaling,  all  apparently  dead,  an<l  making 

not  the  least  resistance  againsl  the  stream,     1  vai  sa 
ingly  struck  and  concerned  at  the  sight.     I  poa  going  a 

little   nearer,  and   oL>>ervin«_'  thein   mop  •  ly.  I    per- 

ceived, I  thought,  symptoms  <»f  life  in  some  of  them,     i 
lifted  up  their  e\  es,  and  looked  at  dm  .  m  if  desiionf  1  should 

lend    them    help.       This    anconraged    me    to   draw    a    little 

nearer;  and  1  thought  1  began  to  preach  to  them,  .-mil  cry 
aloud,  •  Wake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  thi 
and  Christ  anal]  give  thee  light.1    While  1  was  addreseing 
them  in  this  language,  1  ohaenred,  firal  one.  and  then  an- 
other, raise  ihemaelvea  Dp  IB  the  water,  and  make  toward 

land.      \nd  a>  I   eontinned  addressing  them,  I   thought 

more  and    mon  mil    hlindl  • 

eaped  to  the  land.     \\  hen  I  awoke,  and  redacted  upon  my 

dream,  1  found  encouragement.     I  thought,  This  river  is 

tune.      Mankind  are   lloatniLr  down  the  -stream  of  it   I 

lifeless  corpse.     (,..;i  has  oonunissioned  a*  ich  to 

them,  and    he  will  crown  my  labours  with    -  He 

then  adds,  "I  conceived  a  hope  too  that  my  lal»ours  m 
Bristol  would  not  he  m  vain." 

Lugust  24th,  Mr.  Pawaon  being  a:  frfanfrhftatar.  he  had 

a  long   conversation  with   linn  n dative  to  his  appointment. 

••He  now,"  says  Mr.  Benson,  •• «;  me  from  _ 

to  Bristol."  He  then  adds,  u  To-day  my  mind  bas  been 
much  perplexed;  hut  far  beyond, and  e\en  contrary  to  my 
expectation,  1  Was  much  SSSisted  in  preaching  at  Salford 
in  the  forenoon,  and  at  (  ddham-street  m  the  evening.  And 
the  people  were  very  much  affected,  especially  in  the  fore- 


154  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

noon,  while  I  explained,  '  Ye  are  not  your  own,  but  are 
bought  with  a  price.'  In  the  evening  I  enforced  Deut. 
xxx,  19."  But  though  Mr.  Pawson  was  of  opinion  that  he 
ought  not  to  go  to  Bristol,  yet  Mr.  Mather,  whom  he  con- 
sulted, saw  no  reason  why  he  should  delay  to  fulfil  his  ap- 
pointment :  he,  therefore,  with  Mrs.  Benson  and  his  four 
children,  set  off  for  that  city.  But,  to  his  great  astonish- 
ment, when  he  arrived  at  Gloucester,  he  found  letters  di- 
rected to  him  which  exceedingly  pained  his  mind,  as  they 
were  all  descriptive  of  the  agitated  state  of  the  society  at 
Bristol.  But  there  was  now  no  alternative :  he  was  ne- 
cessitated to  go  forward,  and  await  the  issue.  And  he 
soon  found  that  a  division  in  the  society  was  inevitable, 
and  that  no  earthly  power  could  effect  a  reconciliation  be- 
tween the  contending  parties.  The  following  circum- 
stance had  rendered  even  a  negotiation  for  peace  imprac- 
ticable. Mr.  Moore,  one  of  Mr.  Benson's  colleagues,  who 
had  arrived  in  the  circuit  before  him,  had  assisted  in  the 
administration  of  the  Lord's  supper  in  Portland  chapel ;  in 
consequence  of  which  he  had  received  a  legal  document, 
in  the  name  of  the  trustees,  prohibiting  him  from  preach- 
ing in  The  Room,  and  in  Guinea-street  chapel.  Thus 
circumstanced,  he  determined  to  resort  to  no  measure  of 
resistance,  nor  form  any  plan  for  his  future  conduct,  until 
Mr.  Benson  arrived  in  the  circuit,  to  whose  judgment  he 
desired  to  pay  a  respectful  deference.  But  the  leaders  and 
principal  friends  of  the  society,  having  heard  of  the  lawyer's 
letter  which  he  had  received,  came  to  him  in  a  body,  and 
requested  him  to  go  to  the  chapel,  as  if  nothing  had  hap- 
pened ;  and  if  the  trustees  would  not  permit  him  to  preach, 
then  they  advised  him  to  invite  the  congregation  to  go  to 
Portland  chapel,  and  preach  to  them  there.  With  this 
advice  he  complied  ;  and  at  the  appointed  hour  of  worship, 
he  went  to  The  Room,  accompanied  by  the  leaders,  and 
found  two  of  the  trustees  stationed  in  the  pulpit,  disposed 


i.  in 

ce.     II-  then  rea  I  I  i  the  eongiegition  the 
tawj  i  •-   li  ••  r  that  he  h  them  that 

since  he  was  prohibited  from  preaching  t;  ;sould 

"•1  immediately  ;■>  Portland  chapel  ;  when  the  whole 
congregation,  with  I  owl  iwuulj 

simultaneously  id   followed   him. 

I  :    and   it 

nrasl  I  -•<!.  that  he  wss  placed  in  i  peculiarly  criti- 

cal position  :  he  could  occupy  no  neutral  ground  ;  )]. 

ed  to  make  a  choice,  either  t.»  support  hu 
and  consider  the  msult  that  had  been  ofieted  le  Inn  as 
offered  to  himself,  and  refuse  h  in  thos< 

from  which  he  hud  been  arbitrarily  expelled  ;  <>r  > 

tinn   th«    measure  to  which  the  trustees  had  r«  sorted,  and, 

''\  occupying  their  chapels,  tacitly  justify  their  pro 
htga  againsi   Mr.  Moore.     And.  fo  -  which  wi 

sume  wen  lory  to  his  own  mind,  be  chose  t:. 

tcr.  in  conjunction  with  r -»  si 

Ins  coUesgues,  who  were  like-minded  with  biasself.     It  is 
difficult,  if  not  impossible,  for  us,  Living  at  this  d 
tune,   and  unacquainted,  ;is   w .     necessarily  are,  with   the 

circumstances  oJ  On   whofc  c  se,  to  determine 

how  tar  Mr.  Benson's  coi  at  with  the  duty 

winch  he  <i\\(  d  to  Ins  colleague,  in  thus  occupying  chapels 

in   which    he  had   an  equal    nuht   with    himself  to    pieaeh, 

hut  ageiBsi  whom  legal  prw  instituted. 

If  Mr.   Moor.'  had  violated  any  rules  of  the  eonnection.  by 

iting  m  firing  I  sent  to  th<  .  be  might 

have  been  called  to  an  account  at  ■  district  meeting  for  his 
irregular  proceedings,  sad   beau  dealt  with  accordingly. 

Methodism  makes  provision,  m  its    Rules  and   1  ■ages,  lor 
punishing  any  delinquencies   of  which   its    ministers   may 
be  guilty;   and  to  these  Mr.  Moore   was  amenable,  and  by 
them  he  ought  to  have   been  tried:   but  no  such   pi 
had  been  instituted  against  him  :  and  when  trustees  under- 


156  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

take  to  expel  a  man  from  chapels  erected  by  the  connec- 
tion, and  for  the  sole  use  of  preachers  appointed  by  the 
conference,  they  usurp  a  degree  of  authority  which  no  ar- 
guments or  reasons  can  justify.  A  division  was  now  made, 
not  only  among  the  preachers,  but  in  the  society :  about 
two  hundred  members  remained  with  Mr.  Benson,  and 
thirteen  hundred  attached  themselves  to  Mr.  Moore.  Every 
thing  was  subsequently  done,  that  seemed  at  all  likely  to 
effect  a  reconciliation  between  the  parties.  A  district 
meeting  was  held,  and  several  of  the  senior  and  most  in- 
fluential men  in  the  connection,  who  were  not  members  of 
the  district,  attended,  at  the  request  of  the  chairman,  to  aid 
them  by  their  counsels ;  but  after  some  days  spent  in  at- 
tempting to  make  an  amicable  adjustment  of  this  unplea- 
sant affair,  they  had  the  mortification  to  find  themselves  not 
a  single  step  in  advance  toward  this  desirable  end.  And 
they  had  to  break  up  the  meeting,  and  go  to  their  several 
appointments,  full  of  apprehensions  lest  this  division  should 
be  a  prelude  to  a  wider  and  more  alarming  schism  in  the 
body. 

The  circuit  was  now  divided.  Mr.  Benson  and  his  two 
colleagues  had  to  exercise  their  ministry  in  The  Room, 
Guinea-street,  and  Keynsham  chapels  :  into  no  others 
could  they  gain  admittance.  And  Mr.  Moore,  with  Messrs. 
Rutherford,  Crowther,  and  Grant,  who  were  called  to  his 
assistance,  had  the  other  parts  of  the  circuit,  which  then 
included  the  several  places  which  now  form  the  Bristol, 
(South,)  Kingswood,  and  Downend  circuits,  under  their 
care.  To  supply  the  place  of  The  Room,  a  most  eligible 
piece  of  land  was  immediately  purchased  by  the  society, 
about  two  or  three  hundred  yards  distant,  and  the  erection 
of  a  new  chapel  commenced,  of  double  the  dimensions  of 
that  where  they  had  been  accustomed  to  worship,  and  of 
which  they  had  been  deprived ;  and  in  the  course  of  six 
months  it  was  finished  and  opened,  and  a  much  larger 


1,1  FI-;  OF  JOSEPH  BENS4  HI. 

congregation  than  could  possibly  be  contained  in  The 
Room  w  ia  woo  collect  d.  Mr.  Bradburn,  the  chairman 
of  the  district,  came  from  Bath  it  the  opening 

service;  and  preached  from  the  fourth  chapter  of  Nehe- 
miah,  concerning  the  \\  rath  of  Sanballas,  who  said,  "  What 
do  iheae  feeble  Jews  '  Will  they  fortify  themselves  1 
Will  they  sacrifice  '  Will  they  make  aa  east  in  a  day  ! 
Will  they  revive  the  atones  out  of  the  heaps  of  the  rubbish 
which  arc  burned  "  Tins  sermon  aerved  to  widen  the 
h.  rather  than  to  close  it,  a^  the  preacher  delivered 
•  iitiiiitnts  concerning  those  who  differed  from  him  too 
plainly  to  be  misunderstood.  \  circumstantial  aoeeual  of 
all  the  occurrences  of  thia  year,  between  the  two  parties, 
could  the)  now  be  ftimished,  would  promote  neither  the 
reader'a  pleasure  imr  | »r« >i 1 1 .  ( lould  be  be  put  into  tin 
session  «>i  all  the  Lettera  thai  vrers  circulated,  the  pamph- 
h-ts  that  trere  written,  and  the  litigations  that  were  main- 
tained, during  the  year,  they  would  only  serve  aa  awaken 
regrets,  that  even  good  men  ahould  so  tar  forget  their  high 
and  holy  calling  aa  t<>  impute  motives,  and  apply  language 
to  each  other,  so  alien  from  that  charity  mat  thinketfa  no 
evil. 

\  few  eztmcta  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal,  written  at 
different  times  during  thia  year,  are  here  enhjoansd. 
M  September  l  Ith.   My  nine  has  been  taken  u|>  the  three 

last  days   in   writing  letters.       But    I    have  preSjChsd  almost 

every  evening  either  at  'The  Rosea  <>r  at  Grninen-ntreetj 

but  ;ilas  '  not  t«>  auch  congregations  as  \\  e  should  bai  e  had, 
it"  this  division  had  not  taken  place. — October  12th.  Much 

of  my  time,  last  week,   u;is  employed  in  meeting  (lasses; 

and  1  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding,  that  ( i»>d  has  strangely 

overruled  the  division  to  the  Stirring  of  many  of  the  people 
up.  and  bringing  them  into  more  intimate  eonmnmion  with 
himself."  Having  dined  and  spent  the  evening  with  Dr. 
,  he  says:  "He  presses  my  applying  lor  orders  in 


158  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEXSOX. 

the  Church,  and  says  he  will  assure  my  success.  But  I 
do  not  yet  see  my  way  clear.  And  yet,  if  our  disputes 
are  not  settled,  and  our  breaches  healed,  in  some  way 
likely  to  promise  tranquillity,  I  had  better  be  anywhere 
than  in  the  Methodist  connection. — November  23d.  This 
morning  I  had  a  precious  time  at  The  Room,  while  I 
explained  the  former  part  of  the  seventy-eighth  Psalm. 
In  the  evening,  also,  at  Guinea-street,  I  found  liberty  in 
explaining,  to  a  pretty  good  congregation,  '  Other  founda- 
tion can  no  man  lay  than  that  which  is  laid.'  I  thank  the 
Lord,  that  I  enjoy  a  measure  of  inward  peace  amidst 
our  outward  trials  ;  and  I  trust  God  will  bring  good  out  of 
the  great  evil  of  division.  January  1st.  1795.  I  have  en- 
deavoured to  begin  the  year  by  a  solemn  act  of  dedication 
of  myself  to  God ;  and  I  trust  I  have  done  it,  in  some 
measure.  This  evening  I  endeavoured  to  improve  the 
season  for  the  good  of  the  congregation,  and  to  exhort  all 
present,  by  the  mercies  of  God,  to  present  themselves  a 
living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable  to  God.  I  trust  many 
do,  and  will  comply  with  the  exhortation.  February  21st. 
Mr.  Bradburn,  Mr.  Moore,  and  I  met  at  Kingswood  this 
forenoon,  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  had  much  conversation 
together.  We  agreed  upon  a  letter  to  the  preachers,  con- 
taining general  outlines  of  a  plan  on  which,  it  appeared  to 
us,  all  parties  might  unite,  and  by  means  of  which  a 
division  of  the  Methodist  body  might  be  prevented.  This 
was  the  same  in  substance  that  I  had  previously  drawn 
up."  Mr.  Bradburn  remarks,  in  his  journal,  concerning 
this  meeting :  "  This  day  I  went  to  Kingswood,  and  re- 
turned. My  design  was  to  make  peace,  if  possible  ;  and  I 
succeeded  in  a  good  degree."  April  5th,  Dr.  Coke  and  Mr. 
Moore  breakfasted  with  Mr.  Benson,  and  had  a  long  con- 
versation on  the  present  aspect  and  affairs  of  Methodism. 
"  I  see,"  says  he,  "  no  immediate  prospect  of  a  reconcilia- 
tion  at   Bristol ;   but   I  trust   a   general  division  will  be 


LIKE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN90N  159 

prevented. — March  11th.  This  week  has  been  chiefly  em- 
ployed in  writing  letters.     It  grie*  umly  that 
so  much  of  mv  time  baa  been  taken  up.  and  is  likely  to  be 
taken  up,  abort  these  nnprofil                           '  I  that  God 
nay  pal  an  end  to  them,  and  reconcile  as  all  in  love' — 
Marcli  2l>t.   Thai   week  I  h:iv«-  been   employ 
much  in  meeting  classes      Tb   n  ri  o(  my  time 
occupied,  chiefly,  in  drawing  up  a  general  plan  of  pscifica- 
tion,  which  I  have  transcribed,  and  sent  to  Mr.  Mather,  to 
be  laid  before  die  Manchester  and   Stockport 
rod  to  be  copied  and  sent  to  Lew  -.  Sheffield,  and  Hull. 
1  trust  it  will  meet  with  acceptance  in  general,  and  that  a 
rmnion  will  yet  take  pint-  among  as.  —April  1st  To-day 
the  committi  i    mi  I  it  Kings*               ttle  the  a< 
the  quarter.     We  had  Mr.  Dradbnrn  and  Mr.  Moore  with 
nid  I  read  to  them  the  plan  <>i  genera]  pacification 
which  1  had  drawn  op.     They  agreed  to  it.  with  fen  ex- 
ceptions;   and  if  Mr.    Mather,   Mr.  Thompson,  and   Mr. 
PawaoB  agree  to  it.  they  are  willing  thai  it   should  be 
printed  with  their  names  annexed.     We  had  ■  friendly 

meeting;    and  1  trust  that  peace  and  unanimity  will  return." 

The  above  aa  ficient  to  show  bow  gn 

Mr.  Benson  desired  to  promote  ti 

possible,  the  union,  of  the  connection.     H<-  was  heartily 

tired  of  dissension,  and  the  circumstances  m  which  h> 
placed    were    peculiarly    painful    to   him.      He   had 
accustomed,   in   every  circuit    where   he   had   laboured,   to 

command  Largs  congregations  ;  bt  is  the  pre- 

jndice  excited  against  the  cause  which  he  had  espoused  in 

Bristol,  that  his  congregations,  eren  on  a  Sunday  evening, 

were  nut  large!  than  those  which  attended  on  the  ministry 

ot'  Mr.  Moors  and  his  colleagues  at  fire  o'clock  on  ■  week- 
day   awning.      Toward    ths    latter   end   sf    May.    M 
Mather    and    Paw  son    addressed    a   letter    to    the     Bristol 
society  on  the  subject  of  peace  ;    and  both  parties,  being 


160  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

equally  desirous  of  laying  aside  their  weapons  of  warfare 
and  terminating  their  disputations,  agreed  to  set  apart  the 
26th  of  June  as  a  day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  that  God 
would  be  pleased  to  interpose  on  their  behalf,  and  cause 
the  waves  of  contention  to  subside,  and  the  strife  of  tongues 
to  cease.  Mr.  Benson,  being  about  to  pay  a  visit  to  the 
societies  in  Cornwall,  preached  on  June  1st,  from,  "  Grieve 
not  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God,  whereby  ye  are  sealed  unto 
the  day  of  redemption."  "  I  was,"  says  he,  "  much 
assisted  in  preaching,  and  the  divine  presence  was  among 
the  people.  Afterward  I  met  the  society,  and  read  Messrs. 
Mather's  and  Pawson's  letter,  and  spoke  a  little  on  the 
subject  of  peace.  Most  of  all  present  were  exceedingly 
affected ;  and  they  united  in  prayer,  that  the  Lord  would 
be  with  me  on  my  intended  journey." 

June  2d,  Mr.  Benson  set  out  with  Mr.  Stock,  in  a  single- 
horse  chaise,  for  the  west.  They  arrived  at  Taunton  in 
sufficient  time  for  Mr.  Benson  to  preach  at  seven  in  the 
evening.  For  several  succeeding  days  he  preached  at 
Collumpton,  Exeter,  Launceston,  St.  Austell,  and  Truro. 
In  all  these  places  the  congregations  were  large  and 
attentive  ;  and  many  of  the  people  were  much  affected,  and 
proved  that  they  did  not  hear  in  vain.  June  9th  he  says : 
"  Never  did  I  see  a  place  so  crowded,  and  never  did  I  see 
a  congregation  more  affected  than  at  Redruth  to-night, 
Avhile  I  discoursed  on,  '  Who  is  this  that  cometh  from 
Edom,  with  dyed  garments  from  Bozrah  V  We  were  in- 
formed of  several  who  were  awakened,  and  of  some  that 
were  justified.  Many  hundreds  continued  in  prayer  a 
great  part  of  the  night." 

"June  10th.  The  chapel  being  too  small  to  hold  a 
fourth  part  of  the  congregation  at  Tuckingmill,  I  stood  up 
in  a  field  behind  a  house,  having  a  wall  and  a  bank  behind, 
and  on  one  side,  on  which  some  hundreds  placed  them- 
selves, and  the  bulk  of  the  congregation  before  me,  con- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  161 

sistintf,    I    should    think,    of  about    five   thousand. 
singing  and  prayer,  I  took  far  my  text  1  Tim.  i,  l.V     I 
had  not  spoken  Long 

my  nund,  and  words  given   me.  that  many  ucrr  cut  to  the 

heart  <m  all   sides.     Numb*  i  tears,  snd  many 

tried  out  in  distress  in  different  parts  "i  th<  stion. 

I    -  'Mitinu.-d   Bf>  I   could   -> i • «  : i k   no  more,       lint    I 

observed,  before  I  concluded,  that  any  who  were  in  dii 
might  retire  into  the  chapel,  ;'.nd  thai  some  <d  our  frii 
would  pray  with  them,    [then  t  a  hymn  and  pn 

I  ':i.   woiiiin  came  up  t<>  me,  before  I  got  on*  .  and, 

with  streaming  eyes  and  a  heart  mil  of  gratitude  and 
declared  what  God  had  done  for  her  soul.  \- 
liad  dismissed  the  congn  gation,  numbers  thronged  into  th«- 
chapel;  snd  s  gentleman's  steward,  who  had  been  much 
affected  under  the  sermon,  was  our  of  the  iir-t  who  fell 
dou  ii  upon  bis  knees,  before  all  present,  and  cried.  '  Lord, 
humble  my  pride!  Lord,  convert  my  soul'  0,  let  thy 
work  in  me  he  deep  \  and  let  me  not  turn  beck  again  !' 

Many   now    cried    OUJ   in    dist  l(  rs,    local 

hers,  and  others,  continued  in  prayer  with  them  i 

of  the  niLdit.       Is   I    WM  quite  eihaUSted,   I    returned   in  a 

chaise  t«»  Redruth  with  Mr.  stock.  The  next  morning  I 
was  informed,  that  mar  twentj  in  all  were  brought  that 
night  to  taste  thai  the  Lord  is  gracious;  and  man)  of  our 
friends  wen  of  opinion  thai  not  fewer  than  one  hundred 
were  awakened  under  the  sermon.  I  uto  God  be  all  the 
glory. 

"June   11th.    In  the  forenoon  I  set  Out,  in  company  with 

ral  friends,  for  the  copper-works  si  Hayle,  where 
notice  had  been  given  for  me  to  preach  si  twelve  o'clock. 
The  chapel  was  much  crowded,  ai  1  were  affi 

while  I  enforced,  'The  kingdom  of  heaven  is  at  hand.' 
Immediately  after  we  wenl  to  St  Ives,  where  w- 
to  dine.      In  the  evening,  the  chapel,  which  will  hold  one 


162  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

thousand  five  hundred,  was  crowded ;  and  I  was  assisted 
in  explaining  and  enforcing  Luke  xv,  7.  The  congrega- 
tion was  serious  and  attentive,  but  not  so  susceptible  of 
good  impressions  as  that  I  had  addressed  the  preceding 
night."  June  12th,  having  exerted  himself  so  much  be- 
yond his  strength  the  two  preceding  days,  he  was  so  hoarse 
and  otherwise  indisposed,  that  he  was  scarcely  audible  at 
Penzance  in  the  evening. 

June  13th,  in  company  with  his  friend  Stock,  he  went 
to  see  the  Land's  End  ;  from  the  last  rock  of  which  he 
looked  toward  the  sea,  as  if,  to  use  his  own  words,  he  "  had 
been  looking  over  time  into  eternity."  He  then  proceeded 
to  St.  Just,  where  he  arrived  in  time  for  dinner.  At  seven 
in  the  evening  he  had  a  most  crowded  congregation  ;  and 
many  were  much  affected,  especially  while  he  reminded 
them  that  they  were  come  almost  to  the  land's  end  of  life, 
and  inquired  whether  they  had  come  to  the  end  of  their 
sins,  and  whether  they  were  determined  to  go  into  the 
wide  ocean  of  eternal  misery.  Afterward  he  returned  to 
Penzance. 

June  14th  he  preached  at  Penzance  in  the  morning: 
the  chapel  was  excessively  crowded,  and  the  word  was 
accompanied  with  power  to  the  hearts  of  many.  At  two 
o'clock  he  preached  at  Mousehole  :  he  was  grieved  that 
he  had  not  preached  abroad,  as  many  hundreds  who  had 
come  to  hear  him  could  not  get  into  the  chapel.  In  the 
evening  he  preached  again  at  Penzance  :  as  the  chapel 
could  not  hold  one-third  of  the  people  who  came  to  hear, 
he  stood  up  in  the  market-place,  and  addressed  about  six 
thousand  people  on  the  awful  subject  of  "  a  judgment  to 
come."  "  Many  genteel  people,"  says  he,  "  and  some 
officers  and  soldiers,  stayed  all  the  time,  and  heard  with 
great  attention.  Indeed,  the  whole  of  the  congregation 
was  as  quiet  and  silent  as  if  in  a  church  or  chapel ;  and 
the  word  delivered  seemed  to  produce  a  blessed  effect  on 


I. UK  of  JOSEPH  BEN0OR  163 

the  multitude."  June  16th  he  preached  abroad  at  ■  little 
distance  from  Peni  in  attentire  audience,  <>n  the 

leity  of  receiving  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  order  to  their 
being  either  wise,  <>r  holy,  or  happy.  M  The  word,"  he 
remai  mod  to  fall  lik«-  deu .  or  r;iiu  npon  the  mown 

gm 

\tt«  r  the   concluaion  of  the  servic<  ed  by 

several  affectionate  friends,   he   proceeded   to    Il«i 
where,  withoul  bis  knowledge,  it  had  been  published  for 
liiin  to  pr*ri<li  in  the  street     ••  1  !■ 
lost  opportunit)  ;  for  although  many  attended,  such 
the  noise  and  car<  l<  ssn<  n  of  1 
prevent  that  solemnity  and  seriousness  with  which  th< 
caul ran  would  bare  been  beard,  bad  it  been  delii 
chapel,  oran)  quiet  plac<  ring  thai  theseriona 

of  Ins  bearers  bad  not  been  ranch  profited,  he  preached  tin* 
following  morning,  at  seven  o'clock,  in  tin-  chapel.  He 
than  hastened  to  Tuckingmill,  where  it  s  la  :  nblished  for 
him   to   preach   at  noon.     M  Is  I  felt  myi  -  In-. 

M  very   weak,   and   had   hardly   any   von  •  -  the 

preaching  was  to  i>«  at  rach  an  inconvenient  hour.  I 
in  hopes  there  would  be  no  more  people  than  the  < 
would  contain.     Hut  befo  une  within  two  mil* 

the  place,  these  hop*  i  at  off;  for  people  were  com- 

ing from  all  parts  in  such  crowds,  that  it  evidently  app 
that  several  thousands  would  soon  be  assembled.  And  when 
we  oame  within  sight  of  the  ground,  I  was  utterly  aston- 
ished to  sec  not  less,  I  believe,  than  eight  <»r  ten  thousand 
people  collected.  Indeed,  one  iA  our  friends,  who  has 
since  measured  the  ground  on  which  they  stood,  computes 
that  there  were,  at  least,  ten  thousand  eight  hundred  per- 
sons present  on  the  OCCaaion. 

'•  My  heart  sunk  within  me  at  the  sight  of  them.  he. 
I  did  not  think  it   possible  to  make   them  hear,  and  that  I 
seemed  to  have  no-thins  to  set  before  them.     I  would  have 


164  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

persuaded  one  of  the  preachers  to  stand  up  in  my  place, 
but  could  not  prevail.  I  at  length  stood  up;  and,  after 
giving  out  a  hymn,  begged  the  divine  blessing  on  my  five 
barley-loaves  and  two  small  fishes.  I  then  began  to 
address  the  multitude  in  the  language  of  our  Lord,  John 
vii,  37 :  'If  any  man  thirst,  let  him  come  unto  me  and 
drink.'  The  Lord  was  pleased  to  multiply  the  spiritual 
food  in  the  distribution ;  and  there  was,  I  believe,  enough 
for  all,  and  to  spare.  Many  were  affected  under  several 
parts  of  the  discourse,  and  wept  much ;  and  I  was  ena- 
bled so  to  speak  as  to  be  heard  by  most,  if  not  all,  that 
were  present. 

"  After  dinner  we  hastened  on  to  Gwennap.  There,  at 
seven  o'clock,  I  found  a  congregation  as  large,  or  larger, 
than  we  had  at  Tuckingmill.  And  while  I  explained  and 
applied,  '  By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith,'  and  offered 
a  full  and  free  salvation  to  the  most  guilty  and  the  most 
vile,  many  on  all  sides  felt  the  power  of  the  word  ;  and 
while  hundreds,  and  even  thousands,  wept  {ox  joy  or  sorrow, 
some  cried  out  in  a  manner  that  would  have  pierced  a 
heart  of  stone.  I  spoke  till  the  night  came  on,  and  I  was 
quite  exhausted.  I  then  dismissed  the  congregation  ;  but, 
instead  of  going  away,  as  many  as  could  immediately 
crowded  into  the  chapel,  where  several  of  our  brethren 
joined  in  prayer  with  such  as  were  in  distress.  About 
half  an  hour  after,  we  heard  that  many  of  them  had  found 
peace  with  God,  through  faith  in  Christ ;  and  of  many 
more  the  next  morning."  June  18th  he  preached  at  Pen- 
ryn  ;  and  in  the  morning  of  June  19th,  accompanied  by 
Mr.  Stock,  he  went  to  Falmouth.  "  We  spent,"  says  he, 
"  a  part  of  the  afternoon  in  viewing  the  fort ;  an  amazingly 
strong  place,  situated  on  the  top  of  a  high  rock,  which 
overlooks  the  sea,  and  the  entrance  of  the  harbour,  as  also 
the  town.  I  was  much  delighted  with  the  pleasant  situa- 
tion of  a  part  of  the  town,  and  with  the  delightful  country 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENS    M  lr»"> 

round  about.  In  the  evening,  ire  had  our  lar<_re  ud  com- 
modious chapel,  the  lari_"-st  and  I"  nmwall,  ei 
ingly  crowded  ;  -'in<l  I  was  mm  I  in  explaining 
and  applying  to  Cahriniati  and  Anniniana,  to  nrinioft 
people,  1  Cor.  iii,  11  :  *  Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay 
than  is  laid,  which  i-  Jesus  Chriat.1  The  whole  congre- 
gation was  u  lilem  as  death,  and  many  teemed  to  feel  the 

power  of  the  word." 

June  20th,  in  the  forenoon,  In-  retnmed  to  Kedruth. 
Not  haying  recovered  his  roice,  he  iriahed  to  preach  in  the 
chape]  ;  hut  this  he  soon  found  to  be  impoi  "r  ia> 

mediately  after  he  entered  it,  nnmben  began  to  crowd  in, 

so   thai    lh''    Women,   children,   and   such   as   were    U>\ 
stature,  began  to  he  trodden  nnder  toot,  and  to  shriek  aloud. 
An  attempt    was  made   by  two  gentfc men  to   prevail    n|H>n 

the  people  to  enter  the  chapel  gradually,  but  in  vain. 
"  One  might,"  aayi  Mr.  lb  aeon,  ••  as  well  attempt  to  stop 
the  flowing  of  the  tide.     Toprorenttlie  low  .  I  >j<<i 

up  Upon  a  «|  indow,  ami  cried  aloud,  that  I  would  c • 

preach  without.  And  it  was  u«n  i  did,  as  the  chapel 
would  not  hare  held  one-third  of  the  people  ;  the  whole  of 
whom  heard  with  amazing  attention  and  serioic 

June   2 let    he    went    on    to    8l      \      00,    where    he    found 
thai   no  more  than  about   a   sixth  part  of  the  people  a 
hied    could     possibly    gel    into    the    chapel  :     he    therefore 

stood  up  in  the  street,  and  explained  to  a  listening  and 
deeply  senous  congregation,  consisting  of  about  live  thou- 
sand, "  There  is  joy  m  the  presence  "I  the  an-jrls  Qj 

over    one   sinner    that    repenteth."      M  1     found."    he    - 

"  much  comfort  and  enlargement  in  speaking  ;  and  many 

wept  profusely  under  the  word.  I  spoke  about  an  hour 
and  a  half;  and,  blessed  be  Cod.  was  not  hurt."  Maying 
returned  to  Redruth,  in  the  afternoon,  he  stood  up  at  the 
end  of  the  market-house  j  when  he  0004  r?<  B,  "  1  WOO  pre- 
sent od   with  such   a  sight  as  I  never  saw  before.     The 


166  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

whole  street  before  me,  as  far  almost  as  I  could  see,  and 
all  the  alleys  and  houses  on  each  side  the  street  behind, 
on  both  sides  of  the  market-house,  and  the  market-house 
above  and  below,  were  all  crowded  with  people  as  thick 
as  they  could  stand.  Some  of  our  friends  calculated  them 
at  fifteen  thousand.  I  think  there  could  not  be  much  less. 
They  were  all  as  silent  and  serious  as  night,  while  I  ex- 
plained Daniel  v,  27.  I  continued  preaching  and  praying 
from  two  till  four  o'clock.  Many,  I  believe,  felt  the  power 
of  the  word.  Soon  after  I  began,  a  post-chaise  with 
company  came ;  but  being  unable  to  get  through  the 
crowd,  they  were  obliged  to  unyoke  the  horses,  and  stay 
till  all  was  over. 

"  We  had  hardly  time  to  take  a  cup  of  tea  before  it  was 
time  to  go  to  the  Pit,  a  kind  of  amphitheatre,  where  notice 
was  given  of  my  preaching  at  half-past  five.  When  I 
arrived  at  the  place,  and  with  much  difficulty  had  got  to 
the  brow  of  that  side  of  the  hill,  below  which  I  was  to 
stand,  I  was  astonished  at  the  amazing  concourse  of 
people  assembled.  Such  a  multitude  I  had  never  seen 
together  before.  It  is  supposed  there  were  no  fewer  than 
twenty  thousand.  Although  I  was  within  a  few  yards  of 
the  place  where  our  friends  had  fixed  for  me  to  stand,  and 
although  several  assisted  me  to  the  utmost  of  their  power, 
I  could  not  get  a  step  nearer  to  it.  Finding  it  in  vain  to 
try  any  longer  to  get  forward,  I  made  two  or  three  strug- 
gles, and  got  out  of  the  crowd,  purposing  to  stand  in  some 
other  place,  if  a  way  were  not  made  for  me.  At  length  a 
captain  of  one  of  the  mines  found  means  to  make  a  kind  of 
entrance,  and  I  at  last  got  to  the  place.  Standing  upon  a 
table,  I  had  a  full  view  of  the  immense  multitude,  and  had 
the  satisfaction  to  find  that  I  could  make  them  all  hear. 
After  a  solemn  hymn  on  death,  and  judgment,  and  prayer, 
I  named  Rev.  xx,  12,  'I  saw  the  dead  small  and  great 
stand  before  God,'  &c,  as  the  subject  of  my  discourse.     I 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENS  107 

bless  the  Lord,  I  was  endowed  with  courage,  and  fan 
with  Liberty  is  ipeaking.     The  divine  ; 

the    word  ;    and  many.    00    all   sides  of  tic  _  ition, 

"ii  that   side   opposite,  and   mOSl  remote,   w.-r«-  much 

affected,     Having  reason  to  believe  that  many  hundreds 
under  good  impressions,  ami  fearing  they  mighl  he 
transient,  to  prevent  tins.  I  gave  net*  ,•  thai  1  should  pn 
next  day  m  tii«   chapel  at  Redruth,  on  the  parable  of  the 
•ower."      tad  in  the  morninj  i  o'clock  the  <  . 

crowded;  and  while  he  •bowed  how  the  different 
kindi  <»t  ground,  mentioned  by  <>ur  Lord.  iHnatraled  the 
different  aorti  ofhearera  of  the  gospel,  many  were  deeply 
affected.     Under  this  sermon  one  person  entered  into  the 
glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God,  and  rii  i 
kened  from  the  lethargy  <»i  sin.    In  the  evening  he  preached 
at  Truro,  to  a  congregation  consisting  oi  some  thorn 
lople,  in  a  field  near  the  rhapel. 
The  three  following  days  he  preen 
Bodmin,  and  Camelford.     He  then,  in  company  with  Mr. 

Mahyn,  set  nut  lor  l.i^keard,  taking  a  guide  with  them,  as 

be  purposed  passing  over  the  Moors:    they  ^"<>n  entered 

Upon  thrm.  and  tor  ahout  twelve  i  little  or  no  cul- 

tivated ground*  uWe  passed/1  be  remarks,  "between 
several  high  mountains,  formed  of  mere  r.>ck<.  piled  one 
above  another ;    which    mountains  d  evidently  to 

have  been  formed  by  the  flood,  and  to  have  remained 

that  time  ;  for  while  the  water  washed  down  tin-  soft  rarth, 
on  all  sides,  it  could  not  a  ash  down  these  rocks,  hut  left  them 
lying  one  above  another,  in  that  tremendous  and  awkward 
state  in  which  tiny  appear.  I  was  glad  to  find  that  there 
are  many  other  proofs   of  the  flood  in  this  country.      Mr. 

Mitchell,  of  Gwennap,  told  me  he  had  discovered,  in  dig- 
ging helow  the  sea,  (which  is  often  dour  m  Cornwall,)  a 
human  skull,  fifteen  feet  beneath  low  water;  and  that  dif- 
ferent kinds  of  ore  are  generally  found  under  the  sea,  and 


168  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

in  the  low  valleys,  washed  down  from  the  higher  grounds 
where  these  sundry  kinds  are  found  in  the  mines ;  which 
could  only  have  been  done  at  the  time  of  the  general  deluge." 

Mr.  Benson  arrived  at  Liskeard  in  sufficient  time  to 
preach.  But  there  he  had  the  mortification  to  find  a  con- 
gregation of  a  very  different  description  from  those  which 
he  had  recently  addressed.  "  Such  a  wild,  and  apparently 
stupid,  congregation,"  says  he,  "  I  have  rarely  seen  any- 
where, and  certainly  not  in  Cornwall.  I  endeavoured,  I 
fear  to  little  purpose,  to  alarm  them,  by  explaining  and 
applying,  '  How  shall  we  escape,  if  we  neglect  so  great 
salvation  V  "  Having  preached  at  several  other  places,  he, 
with  his  friend  Stock,  arrived  in  Bristol  July  3d.  Finding 
Mrs.  Benson  and  his  family  well,  on  his  return  home,  he 
joyfully  praised  the  God  of  all  his  mercies. 

This  must  be  regarded  as  a  most  extraordinary  and 
memorable  journey,  whether  considered  as  an  exhibition 
of  physical  strength,  or  a  zealous  and  almost  unparalleled 
effort  to  promote  the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  men.  In  the 
course  of  a  single  month  Mr.  Benson  travelled  about  four 
hundred  miles,  chiefly  in  a  gig,  preached  forty  sermons, 
and,  on  a  very  moderate  computation,  to  at  least  sixty 
thousand  people.  And  his  preaching  bore  no  resemblance 
to  the  things  of  which  the  poet  speaks, 

"  That  mount  the  rostrum  with  a  skip, 
And  then  skip  down  again  ;  pronounce  a  text ; 
Cry — hem  ;  and  reading  what  they  never  wrote, 
Just  fifteen  minutes,  huddle  up  their  work, 
And  with  a  well-bred  whisper  close  the  scene." 

No,  his  sermons  were  more  than  ordinarily  long, — seldom 
short  of  an  hour;  and  sometimes  he  was  so  thoroughly 
absorbed  in  his  subject,  as  to  forget  himself,  and  the  entire 
exhaustion  of  his  physical  powers  rendered  an  almost  ab- 
rupt conclusion  necessary.  And  during  the  whole  course 
of  his  long  and  laborious  ministry,  never  was  he  placed  in 


JOSEPH     : 

circun  dated  to  call  forth  the 

ergy  of  his  mind,  and  to  excite  the  lealous  effusion* 
heart,  than  when  addressing  his  Coraish  congi 
He  had  been  thai  up  I  -I  months  previously  in 

Bristol,  harassed  and  disturbed  by  dissensions  and  lin'ga- 
.  baring  small  cou<:re<cifions  ti»  preach  to,  and  they 

chiefly  composed  of  tip  -  :    bill  In'    had    now 

nict    with   a   people    prepared   of  the    Lord,   whose    i. 
u (  r-'  n  idy  i"  i'  ceivc  the  gi  Lfted  wot  1 

which  \\  a>  able  to  lave  th<  ir  souls.     Never  didthi 
earth  more  readily  drink,  in  the  teeming  shower,  than  they 
did  the  impressive  and  consoling  truths  of  the  ever! . 
gospel.      Nor  were   Mr.   Ih  nson'l   lahuurs  ev.r  mom 
nallv  or  successfully  sanctioned  by  God,  than  dnring  Ins 

month's   ministry    in   Cornwall.      T<>   C 

the  lull  amount  of  mora!  ;>y  hi>  preachil 

this  penod,  ib  impossibl<  r  will  it  be  fully  known 

until  the  day  of  judgment  r«  real  it.     Man)  who  were  then 
converted  from  the  error  oftheii  ways,  and  broughi 
knowledge  of  tin*  truth,  have  since  fallen  a-!- 

though  nearly  a  half  emtury  has    rolll  Mine   that 

Lime,  yi  t    some    remain    until    this   day    who    ha\e  a  vivid 

recollection  of  the  gracious  visitation   with  which 

were  then  favoured,  and  who  speak  of  it  in  terms  of  the 
liveliest  gratitude. 

>n  afnr   Mr.  Hen-on's   return  from   his  Cornish  tour, 

he  had  to  eel  off  for  Manchester,  where  the  confer 

was  this  year  held.     Considering  the  different  opinions 
entertained  by  many  Influential  members  o\   the   - 

OB    the    Subject    Of    Methodist    discipline    or    church 

nment,  and  the  appeals  that  were  expected  to  he 

made  to  the    preachers  to   subject  it  to  certain  rhsugt 

modifications,  apprehensions  were   seriousl]    entertained 

that  a  division   in  the  body  must  inevitably  The 

circular  letter  which  the  conference,  at  the  close  of  their 

8 


170  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

sittings,  deemed  it  their  duty  to  address  to  the  members 
of  the  societies  throughout  the  kingdom,  will  sufficiently 
illustrate  the  nature  of  their  proceedings,  in  order  to  lay  a 
firm  and  lasting  foundation  for  the  peace  and  harmony  of 
the  connection : — 

"  Dearly  Beloved  Brethren, — We  beg  leave  to  state 
to  you  what  has  been  done  in  our  present  conference,  in 
order  to  establish  a  general  and  lasting  peace  and  union 
throughout  the  connection. 

"  When  we  assembled  together,  our  hearts  were  most 
deeply  touched  with  the  awful  situation  of  our  affairs.  We 
trembled  at  the  thought  of  a  division,  and  its  dreadful  con- 
sequences ;  and  therefore  determined  to  set  apart  the  first 
day  of  the  conference  as  a  day  of  solemn  and  real  fasting 
and  prayer.  God  was  indeed  in  the  midst  of  us  ;  and  we 
all  felt  a  confidence,  that  a  solid  foundation  would  be  laid 
for  lasting  peace  and  unity. 

"  When  we  met  in  conference  on  the  second  day,  we 
saw  the  necessity  of  appointing  a  committee  to  prepare  a 
plan  of  general  pacification  ;  and  that  the  committee  might 
be  men  of  our  own  choice,  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the 
words,  we  resolved  that  they  should  be  chosen  by  ballot. 
Every  preacher,  therefore,  in  full  connection,  gave  in  nine 
papers,  with  a  name  upon  each  "(nine  being  the  predeter- 
mined number  of  the  committee.)  The  ballots  were  re- 
ceived, and  Messrs.  Mather  and  Pawson  were  desired  to 
retire,  and  count  the  votes.  When  they  returned,  they 
gave  in  the  following  names,  as  the  first  upon  the  list ; 
viz.,  Joseph  Bradford,  who  was  the  president,  John  Paw- 
son,  Alexander  Mather,  Thomas  Coke,  William  Thomp- 
son, Samuel  Bradburn,  Joseph  Benson,  Henry  Moore,  and 
Adam  Clarke.  We  were  astonished  at  the  choice,  and 
clearly  saw  it  was  of  God.  It  evidenced,  beyond  a  doubt, 
the  impartiality  of  the  body  of  preachers  :   for  there  must 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BBNfl  171 

have  existed  a   majority,  on  one   ride  or  the  other,  in   re- 
spect to  tlie  disputed  points  ;   end  j « I  th< 

I  committee.     The  commit:'  Imuly  m- 

eremngi  -  i iv:  and  sat  each  evening,  after  nil  the 

fatigues  of  dM  coofereooe,  far  abort  three  been  end  ■  heif. 
Tlieir  plan  was  at  last  completed,  and  bid  before  die  coo- 
iMoes;  who.  with  the  alteration  of  a  ringle  article, 
ed  mem  unanimously.     After  this,  two  or  thn 
■on  reed  opon,  under  dM  title  of  AddbWs,  in 

order  to    gin    eOSflplete  id   to  re:: 

ebetsjek  to  ■  1 

The  following  memoranda  are  taken  from  Mr.  Brad- 

hurn's  joiiriinl.  concerning  the  pr-> 

(Mice: — "  Ilith.  v    thing  iii   our  meeting  ii   very 

promising, and  will.  I  believe,  torn  art  well.     The  pt 

of  so  many  carmoi  tall  to  the  ground.     <>  nr 

thee  tor  the  ipiril  I  hate  fell  ever  since  we  Diet.    Thou 

rememberesl  how   1  sought  thee  in  secret,  and  in 

distress.       ()  bleSfl    m.     always   With  this   precious    i 

He  then  adds,  in  the  beginning  of  An 

continued, — veiy  mtiguing,  but  very  pleasing  work.    Sorely 

I   feel  the  blessing  of  being  a  peace-maker. — Conference 

ended.         Ml    Well'       KteriKll     Lflorv    be    QntO    thee.   ()    God." 

The  sermons  thai  were  preached  on  d  on  greatly 

tended  to  conciliate  the  affections  of  the  preachers, 
encouraged  them  to  believe  thai  God  would  unite  them  to- 
gether BS   the   heart  of  one   man.      Mr.  BenSOfl 

was  graciously  assisted  in  preachin  the  confen 

to  an  immense  congregation,  in  the  forenoon,  in  Oldham- 

street,  on  Ephesians  iv,  3:  'Endeavourn  p  the 

unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the   bond  (^'  peace.'       Ml  were  verv 
attentive,  and  the  generality  of  the  people  deeply  affected 

sundry  times  during  the  discourse.      I  believe  it  had,  and 
will  have,  a  good  effect,  and  that  the  minds  of  both  preach- 


172  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON 

ers  and  people  will  be  disposed  to  peace  and  unity."  And 
Mr.  Bradburn  delivered  a  very  effective  discourse  in  the 
same  chapel,  a  few  days  subsequently,  from  Judges  xiii, 
23  :  "  If  the  Lord  were  pleased  to  kill  us,  he  would  not 
have  received  a  burnt-offering  and  a  meat-offering  at  our 
hands,  neither  would  he  have  showed  us  all  these  things, 
nor  would  as  at  this  time  have  told  us  such  things  as 
these." 

The  articles  of  agreement  for  general  pacification, 
which  were  then  drawn  up,  are  so  well  known,  and  so 
invariably  acted  upon,  in  maintaining  the  discipline  of  the 
connection,  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  insert  them  here. 
Let  it  suffice  to  say,  that  the  delegated  trustees,  who  had 
assembled  at  Manchester,  to  urge  their  claims  on  the  atten- 
tion of  the  conference,  were  so  perfectly  satisfied  with 
what  the  preachers  had  done  to  meet  their  views,  that  they 
unanimously  sent  a  vote  of  thanks  "  to  the  president  and 
members  of  the  conference,  for  their  kind  attention  to  the 
business  of  the  delegation  of  the  trustees  that  has  been  laid 
before  them." 

The  union  which  was  then  effected  was  acknowledged 
to  be  of  God.  The  preachers  determined  to  let  all  re- 
sentment be  buried  in  eternal  oblivion,  and  to  banish  con- 
tention and  strife  from  among  them ;  and  they  said  to  the 
people,  "  O  brethren,  be  as  zealous  for  peace  and  unity,  in 
your  respective  societies,  as  your  preachers  have  been  in 
this  blessed  conference.  Let  the  majorities  and  minori- 
ties, on  both  sides,  exercise  the  utmost  forbearance  toward 
each  other ;  let  them  mutually  concede  one  to  the  other, 
as  far  as  possible  ;  and  by  thus  bearing  each  other's  bur- 
dens, fulfil  the  law  of  Christ.  Surely  our  present  complete 
and  happy  union,  so  contrary  to  the  fears  of  many,  is  a 
signal  of  good  times.  God  will,  we  believe,  pour  out  his 
Spirit  upon  us  more  largely  than  ever ;  and,  by  the  exer- 
cise of  his  most  gracious  prerogative,  bring  abundance 


LIFE  Of  JO0BPJH  BENS 

of  good  out  of  all  sen  past  evils.     It  cannot  ho  tupp 
tliat  the  difference  of  opinion  which  had  previoesl] 

1 1  ]  n  u  i  lt  w  entirely  forgotten,  or  mete- 

rially  changed;  but  it  w  fcrahsed  by  tin 

lowing  principle  of  brotherly  lore,  that  they  departed  from 
each  other,  to  their  several  ttstioni,  with  a  full  determina- 
tion to  bend  all  their  etlorts  to  the  proim >t i< 01  of  8 
holiness,  without  which  no  man  can  see  the  Lord.      I 
in  Bristol  itself,  where  th<  bad  been  so  grestrj 

tated  and  divided,  it   a  is  j  I  the 

close  of  th.-  conference,  that  there  was  a  change  of  pulpits 
between  Messrs.  Benson  and  If  core;  the  latter  of  whom 

preached  in  the  Old  ROODS,  ami  the  former  occupied  Port- 
land chapel,  which  eedingly  crowded,  while  he 
sjea  enabled,  with  clearness  an-!  pou  from 
•j  ( lorinthians  u,  l  •>  :  "Wi                                         lvout 

of  Christ,  in  then  that  an  ind  in  them  that  perish." 

Novemher  9th   Mr.  Benson  took  nil 
crowded  and  deeply  affected  congregation,  by  preaching 

from  1  John  i.  X   I.      "The  Lord.  lith  in 

of  a  truth;  and  the  woid,  I  trust,  had  fa  I  thank 

God,  the  end  for  which  1  came  to  Bristol  1^.  in  i 

':.      The  breach  is  healed,  and  two  ch 

with  about  three  hundred  people,  are  preserved  to  the 
connection."  On  his  way  to  Leeds,  his  new  circuit,  ho 
preached  at  Gloucester,  Wotc ester,  Birmingham,  Derby, 
and  Sheffield.  In  the  latter  place  he  spenl  two  or  three 
days.  November  loth  he  says:  "This  day  I  bate  been 
enabled  to  preach  three  times  to  verv  lari'e  congregations. 
In  the  morning  at  seven  tin-  chapel  in  Norfolk-- 
as  much  crowded  as  though  it  had  been  a  Sunday  evening. 
That  in  Garden-street  was  squally  crowded  at  ball 

ten  ;  and  in  the  evening,  at  Norfolk-street,  many  who  came 
to  hear  could  not  get  into  the  chapel.  I  bless  the  Lord,  I 
have  been  much  assisted  every  time  ;  and  we  have  had 


174  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

precious  opportunities."  On  his  arrival  in  Leeds  he  thus 
expresses  himself:  "Thanks  be  to  God  for  his  care  and 
kindness,  and  for  giving  his  angels  charge  concerning  us, 
through  the  whole  of  our  long  journey.  We  got  to  our 
journey's  end  in  health  and  safety  this  day;  and,  to  our 
comfort,  found  a  servant  in  the  house,  and  every  thing  pro- 
vided for  us.  We  have  met  with  a  hearty  welcome  in- 
deed from  our  friends,  both  relations  and  others,  who  have 
expressed  great  joy  at  our  arrival.  I  pray  God  it  may  be 
for  the  good  of  many  souls,  as  well  as  for  our  own  edifica- 
tion and  comfort." 

January  1st,  1796,  he  says  :  "  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  who 
has  brought  me  and  my  family  to  the  beginning  of  another 
year."  He  had  preached  at  Armley  the  preceding  even- 
ing, at  six  o'clock,  and  then  hastened  to  Leeds,  where  he 
began  the  watch-night  by  preaching  at  half  past  eight. 
"  Having,"  says  he,  "  praised  God  for  the  mercies  of  the 
past  year,  and  cried  to  him  for  the  pardon  of  the  sins  of  it ; 
and  having  offered  ourselves  afresh  to  God,  we  retired  to 
rest,  that  we  might  be  prepared  for  the  duties  of  the  day." 

But  though  the  preachers  at  their  late  conference  were 
knit  together  as  the  heart  of  one  man,  and  mutually  solici- 
tous to  promote,  as  far  as  possible,  the  unity  of  the  body, 
yet  some  of  the  people,  actuated  by  a  factious  spirit,  sought, 
in  the  early  part  of  this  year,  to  disturb  the  peace  of  the 
connection,  by  the  publication  of  a  circular  letter,  address- 
ed to  all  the  stewards  and  leaders  throughout  the  kingdom. 
And  one  night,  about  half  past  ten  o'clock,  on  Mr.  Ben- 
son's returning  from  one  of  his  country  places,  he  was 
surprised  to  find  the  leaders,  local  preachers,  and  stewards 
holding  a  meeting  in  the  chapel.  "  But  I  soon  found,"  says 
he,  "  that  they  were  met  to  consider  whether  they  should 
co-operate  with  some  leaders  in  the  north,  who  have  pub- 
lished a  letter  on  the  subject  of  altering  our  plan  of  govern- 
ing our  societies,  and  putting  the  power  everywhere  into 


Lii  I  173 

and  people."     With  ti.- 
of  this  letter  be  wan  intimately  acquainted;  bat,  to  u-<'  hi^ 
own   ! 

arnica  reritaavn  be  determined  i  it.     A  part  o 

reply  to  tii.  -  i : — 

"  M  |      I  ),  BEEN, I 

put  into  my  b  y  your  namea.     1 

known  man]  of  you  for  upward  of  twenty  j 
some  of  you,  nave  Long  b<  en  in  I 
The  chain 

of  the  moat  intimate  friends  1  l»:t\  »■  h  i 
first  in  the  Neu  h  a  u  m  the  j 

And  1  am  grieved  thai  you  should  have  ■  hand  in 
thing  that 

to  prove  to  any  an  • 
suade  i  not  intend.     1  Know  m 

that  I  give  yon  inli  i 

the  up  of  your  intentions.     Bui  souse  oi 

lived  long  enough  in  the  world  to  have  learned 
the  best  mi<  n;  ,  i\  ma<l\  •  rteni 

much  evil.     With  all  the  love  ami  friendship  1  ow< 
and  still  feel  toward  ill  tell  you  s  by  1  think, 

you  have  taken  a  false  >;•  p  in  publishing  this  Lett  r, 
wherein  it  appears  to  me  you  art-  mistaken." 

er  adverting  ;<»  the  impropriet)  <>t  publishJ 
:   .!  ihi:  particular  time,  when  the  recent  d- 
had  agitated  tin-  connection  ;.  Mr. 

iys:    ••  \  Di;r  letter,  it  is  true,  may  auawer  one 
end.     It  may  drau  as  front  I 

tending  p 

one  hone  to  quarrel  about  another.     B 

will  tind  it  equally  dry  with  those  about  whir: 

itely  torn  each  other's  flesh.     Pray,  my  brethren, 
lor  the  Lord's  sake,  lei  the  people,  lor  whom  yon  j> 


170  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  be  so  much  concerned,  have  some  respite  Let  them 
have  a  little  time  to  remember  they  have  souls  to  be 
saved,  and  to  use  those  means  that  are  calculated  to  save 
them.  How  long  shall  they  be  kept  in  the  fire  of  strife 
and  contention  ?  When  shall  they  be  suffered  to  return 
from  pursuing  and  smiting  one  another  ?  Before  the  fresh 
bone  of  contention  was  thrown  out,  we  were  only  two 
parties  ;  the  one  wishing  for,  the  other  against,  the  intro- 
duction of  the  sacrament.  But  now,  so  far  as  your  letter 
gains  attention  and  commands  belief,  we  shall  be  four. 
For  its  natural  tendency  is  to  divide  both,  and  produce  two 
parties  more  ;  the  one  of  which  will  espouse,  and  the  other 
reject,  your  democratical  form  of  church  government." 
#  #  =*  #  *  # 

"  In  the  mean  time,  it  is  not  difficult  to  foresee  the  con- 
sequences which,  in  all  probability,  will  ensue  upon  these 
proceedings.  Like  the  Dissenters  in  the  last  century,  we 
shall  dispute  about  plans  of  government  and  external  ordi- 
nances, till  the  life  of  religion,  and  all  that  is  worth  con- 
tending for,  be  lost  in  the  squabble  ;  and  we  shall  have 
nothing  left  but  the  dry  forms,  which  the  divided  parties, 
on  each  side,  may  have  secured.  You  complain  of  a 
worldly  spirit,  of  division  in  societies,  and  of  want  of  love 
to  the  preachers  ;  and  yet  you  are  taking,  I  fear,  the  very 
steps  which  partly  proceed  from,  and  partly  tend  to  in- 
crease, those  evils.  How  happens  it,  think  you,  that  the 
minds  of  so  many  are  now  turned  to,  and  engrossed  by, 
those  outward  things,  but  because  they  have,  in  whole  or 
in  part,  lost  that  inward  union  with  God  which  once  was 
their  all  in  all,  and  to  guard  and  preserve  which  was  once 
their  chief  care  ?  And  do  you  imagine  that  to  keep  them 
disputing  about  this  and  that  mode  of  worship  and  church 
government,  will  restore  what  they  have  lost,  and  give 
them  back  their  first  love  ?  0,  no  ;  it  will  only  feed  and 
increase  their  spiritual  disorders.     Remember,  brethren, 


LIFE  OP  JOSEPH  BENS  ITT 

the  Methodists  rery  lately  weft  not  ■  people.     Permit  me, 

tlifii.  to  inquire,  by  what  means  did  thej  from 

nothing?     Was  te  by  plans  of  government  and  mod 

worship  1  Surely,  no;  hut  .simply  by  the  word  of  God  and 

prayer,  with  tin-  exercise  of  thai  discipline  which  boom 

-  of  your  Inter  an-  manifestly  calculated  to  overthrow." 

Tin-  authors  of  the  letter  in  qw  rtion  asserted  that  the 

m  of  Methodist  discipline  \s;i>    u  antiecriptural  and 

oppn  that    the    people    were    governed    without 

being    consulted  ;     and    they   SSK,    M  \\  heir    do    | 

oracles  anthorize  one  pari  of  the  human  race  to  treat  the 

other  as   irrational    beings;    that   is.  to    rule    them    without 

their  consent  ;  anless  either  the  weakness  of  their  under- 
standings, or  the  wickedness  of  their  Urea,  have  rendered 

them  obnoMoi  They  then  qo 

texts  from  the  \eu  '  |.  m  a  iin  -nt ,  which,  learly 

prove  that  the  primitive  Christians  were  rirtnally  consulted 
in  the  choice  of  their  spiritual  guides,  their  temporal  offi- 
cers, and  in  their  prudential  matters."  In  reply  to  these 
statements,  Mr.  Benson  says :  M  la  you  quote  i 
to  prove  that  the  primitive  christians  were  virtually  con- 
sulted in  the  choice  of  their  spiritual  guides,  I  I 
notice  what  ymi  advance  .  -ire  you  to  turn  to  those 

texts  again,  and  read  them  in  connection  with  tfa 
and  you  wdl  see  that  there  is  not  one  of  them  that 
the    most   distant   allusion  to  any  thing  of  the  kind. 

vi,  1,  relates  entirely  to  the  choice  of  stewards  • 
the  poor-money,      lets  xv,  '-"J.  23,  relates  to  the  choos- 
ing of  thr.  e  ui'  -  to   SCCOmpany    Paul   and    Barna- 
bas to  Antioch,  to  carry  a  m>  Ictfl   v...    .'.   Ipeakl 

only  of  the    good   character  that   Timothy  bore   among 

the  brethren  at  Lystrm,  which,  it  seems,  induced  St. 
Paul  to  take  him  along  with  him  as  a  companion;  and 
the  other  passage,  1  Tim.  iii,  10,  refers  only  to  the 
trial  that  ought  to  be  made  of  the  integrity  ami  fidelity 


178  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSOiX. 

of  deacons,  that  is,  temporal  stewards,  before  they  be  put 
into  office,  and  intrusted  with  the  money  belonging  to  the 
poor  or  the  church.  So  that  if  you  can  furnish  no  better 
proofs  than  these,  that  people  ought  to  be  consulted  in  the 
choice  of  their  guides,  you  fall  sadly  short  indeed.  And, 
methinks,  this  circumstance  alone  might  convince  you  that 
you  are  endeavouring  to  draw  us  from  a  Scriptural  plan  to 
one  that  is  unscriptural.  It  is  true,  in  one  sense,  every 
man  chooses,  and  must  choose,  his  spiritual  guide :  he  is, 
and  must  be,  at  full  liberty  to  hear  that  minister  or  preacher 
he  chooses,  and  to  unite  himself  to  that  body  of  Christians 
he  judges  he  can  be  most  profited  among.  But  to  suppose 
that  the  Scriptures  countenance  the  idea  of  people  choos- 
ing or  appointing  their  own  preachers,  is,  I  am  satisfied, 
without  foundation.  The  Epistles  to  Timothy  and  Titus, 
to  which  I  refer  you,  are  a  demonstration  to  the  contrary. 
The  Holy  Scriptures  take  it  for  granted,  what  is  certainly 
a  truth,  that  the  first  and  principal  end  of  a  gospel  ministry 
is  to  call  sinners  to  repentance,  and  reform  mankind :  and 
if  sinners  are  only  thus  to  be  called  and  mankind  reformed 
by  those  they  choose  and  appoint,  they  will  never  be 
reformed  at  all.  For  they  will  either  choose  and  appoint 
no  preachers,  or  such  as  will,  by  their  doctrine  and  exam- 
ple, encourage  them  in,  and  not  reprove  them  for,  their 
sins.  And  although  another,  and  very  important  end  of 
preaching,  be  to  edify  or  build  up  in  faith  and  holiness 
such  as  are  already  converted,  yet  it  is  Christ,  and  not  the 
people,  that  gives  evangelists,  pastors,  and  teachers  for 
this  end  ;  that  is,  by  the  gifts  and  graces  of  his  Spirit,  he 
qualifies  them  for,  and  calls  them  to,  this  work.  Hitherto, 
I  believe,  we  have  been  on  the  Scriptural  plan  in  this  busi- 
ness ;  and  if  you  should  unite,  and,  by  forming  an  aristo- 
cracy, compel  us  to  change  it  and  adopt  the  plan  of  the 
Dissenters,  mark  the  consequences  !  Our  congregations 
Avill  soon  be  like  many  of  theirs,  either  continually  quar- 


LIH.  "\ 

rolling   with   their  preachers,  or  divid<  sub-divided 

study 
to  profit,  but  to  pieneo,  their 

he:irer>.  I  Among  thom  that  are  rich,  on 

whom  their  maintenance  will  chiefly  depend,  and   w 
the}  moat  take  erto  Dsprove  for  any  th    | 

loot.     ^  "ii  talk  of  itin- 
an  and :  hut  on  the  plan  to  which,  if  I  imd<  >U  are 

rergii  ao  end  indeed.     J'«-r  if  oui  - 

owo  pn 
cannot,  in  the  nature  of  thii  :  this 

would  undoubti  I  11  as 

a .  should  Lr<t  con.  >u.  and  I" 

comfbftabl]    s<  tiled,   at  i  find 

in.  in-  of  pit  asing  you  and  retaining  y<  >wilL     Hut 

the  point  t<>  be  considered  is,  would  this  be  for  th< 

lor  the  aproading  of  religion  in  the  nation  I     I  j »r«  - 
■anaa  tli»'  iv  neral  opinion  1-. ':  id  not.     '1 

therefore,  I  you,  how  you  taki  which 

infallibly  had  to 

In  addition  to  the  agitation  which  the  letter  circu 
by  the  trusters  was  calculated  to  produce,  the  . 
had  to  endure  the  pain  oi   witnessing  a  memfo 
own  1m».1\  kiuLr  perrerae  things,  to  draw 

disciples    after    him.      Alexander    kilham.    a    fO«ng    man 

who  had  tinted  to  a  circuit  by  Mr.   V. 

the  year  1785,  latiafiod  with  the  M « 1 1 1<  - 

ptine  ;   and  began  to  circulate  letters  and  pamphlets  til. 
the  kingdom,  with  the  obvious  bow 

system  of  church  government  in  the  connection.     To 

-  were  affixed  the  following  signatures : — u  Martin 
Luther,"  uTrueman  and  Freeman,"  "Paul  and  Silas," 
"  The  MtMhodistical  Bull."    These  circulars,  with  another, 

which  he  denominated  uThe    PlOJ 

tained   not  only  much  of  what  was  false  and  unfounded. 


180  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

but  more  of  what  was  slanderous  and  defamatory.  The 
moral  conduct  of  several  of  the  preachers  was  impeached. 
They  were  accused  of  imposing  on  the  people,  by  intro- 
ducing improper  persons  into  the  connection  from  selfish 
motives ;  that  they  made  mock  examinations  of  each 
other's  characters  ;  that  they  had  been  guilty  of  swindling  ; 
and  that  they  indulged  in  a  criminal  secrecy  in  transacting 
their  business.  Pamphlets,  containing  these,  with  divers 
other  charges  and  insinuations,  were  widely  and  industri- 
ously circulated  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land. 
Mr.  Kilham  had  been  tried  at  two  district  meetings,  in  the 
course  of  this  year,  for  these  publications,  but  no  judgment 
concerning  him  was  recorded ;  the  whole  case  being 
referred  to  the  decision  of  the  conference. 

July  23d  Mr.  Benson  arrived  in  London  to  attend  the 
conference.  Here  he  had  an  opportunity  of  conversing 
with  several  of  the  senior  preachers  relative  to  the  dis- 
turbed state  of  the  connection,  and  especially  concerning 
Mr.  Kilham,  who  had  contributed  largely  by  his  slander- 
ous publications  to  effect  a  division  in  the  body.  In  the 
evening  of  Sunday,  July  25th,  Mr.  Benson  preached  in 
the  City-road  chapel,  to  an  exceedingly  crowded  and 
attentive  congregation:  his  text  was  1  Cor.  iv,  1,  "Let 
a  man  so  account  of  us,  as  of  the  ministers  of  Christ, 
and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God."  The  effects 
produced  on  the  audience  (of  which  the  writer  was  one) 
by  this  sermon  exceed  description.  It  arrested  and  riveted 
their  attention  ;  the  eyes  of  the  assembly  were  fastened  on 
the  preacher  ;  his  tones  of  earnestness  and  feeling  excited 
a  thrilling  interest  in  their  hearts  ;  and  such  a  divine  unc- 
tion attended  his  words,  as  could  not  easily  be  forgotten. 
In  the  course  of  the  sermon,  he  took  an  occasion  to  show, 
that  the  word  rendered  ministers  in  the  text,  literally  sig- 
nified under-rowers.  "  Such,"  says  he,  "  are  the  ministers 
of  the  gospel.     They  are  under-rowers  in  that  vessel  of 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH   BEN!  UU 

which  Christ  is  the  pilot,  or  rather  the  captain.  For  the 
church  of  ( Christ,  like  tin-  ships  ol  the  ancients,  is  not  only 
supplied  with  the  sail.*  of  affection  i  the  uurcurasss 

galea  of  grace,  and  the  anchor  of  hope,  which  they  must 

within  the  veil  when  the  wind  and  tide  are  advi 
but,  to  preTenl  her  being  becalmed,  and.  aa  it  wi 
naled  In  Iwiewormnsst   and  sloth,  is  runushed  also  with 
oars  of  prayer  and  preaching.     And  the  minister!  of  the 
gospel  an-  the  rowers,  who,  when  the  aea  is  rough  and  the 
wind  contrary,  are  obliged  to  toil  ai  th<  oar,  having  hard 
worn:  to  keep  the  ressel  above  water.     Son*  tunes  if  hap- 
pens, through  the  subtlety  of  Satan,  thai  they  do  not  ad  in 
harmony,  bet  thwart  each  other,  and  row  diffi  n 
and  are  in  dan]  iring  the  \<  asel  in  piei 

peal  ha/.anl  of  the  liv<  b,  the  sterna]  lives,  of  the  unni 
subjects  of  our  heavenly  King.     U  any  thing  can,  at  any 
time,  justify  an  insurrection  of  the  ship's  company,  it  is  a 
ease  like  :1ns.  to  prevent  the  instant  destruction  of  the 

!.  witli  all  that  are  in  it.     Oi  le  have  th< 

that  our  rowers,  like  those  mentioned  by  the  prophet,  have 
brought  us  into  deep  waters,  w  much 

difficulty  to   avoid  hem  i  our  ship, 

they  aay,  grows  Jessy,  and  takes  water  fast.     Be  tail 

will;    it   is  well  that  the    Lord  JoBUS  hehold-  HD  the 

mountain  he  beheld  the  disciples  on  the  Lake,  when  the 

.is  rongfa  and  the  wind  I,  and  they  toiled  in 

rowing!  It  is  well  that  he  prays  tor  us  as  he  did  for  them. 
May  he  also  conn  fco  u<  walking  on  the  water,  especially 
as    it    is    now    past    the    fourth  watch  of  the  night,  I 

speak.)  and  some  begin  to  despair  of  our  bsiag  able  to  hold 
out  much  longer,  having  already  apt  nt  tour  dark  and  trou- 
blesome years  since  we  lost  our  a  saw*  rsawr,     A 
Christ  appeared  for  as  in  our  distress,  and  discovered  to 

us,  shall  1  say.  a  creek  with  a  shore,  termed  the  '  IM 
Pacification;'  into  which  we  were  minded,  if  possible,  to 


182  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

thrust  in  our  ship.  But  some  of  us,  as  it  is  thought,  being 
in  too  much  haste  to  weigh  the  anchor  of  our  former  plan, 
which  had  so  long  kept  us  steady,  to  loose  the  rudder- 
bands  of  our  excellent  discipline,  which  had  preserved  us 
in  union,  hoist  the  mainsail  of  our  zeal  to  the  variable  wind 
of  prejudice  and  popular  opinion,  and  commit  ourselves  to 
the  ocean  of  the  people, — we  have,  it  seems,  inadvertently- 
fallen  into  a  place  where  two  seas  meet,  and  are  in  danger 
of  suffering  shipwreck :  an  event  this,  my  brethren, 
exceedingly  to  be  deprecated,  for  the  sake  of  myriads  of 
souls,  yet  unborn,  who  in  this  much-famed  vessel,  origin- 
ally built  of  the  best  materials,  might  yet  make  a  successful 
voyage  to  the  port  of  eternal  bliss.  For  should  this  happen, 
although  the  leading  preachers  and  people,  like  the  fore- 
part of  Paul's  ship,  may  stick  fast  to  the  pacific  plan,  and 
remain  immoveable,  yet  the  hinder  part  would  soon  be 
broken  by  the  violence  of  the  waves  of  contending  parties. 
Those  that  could  swim,  indeed,  that  had  skill  and  strength 
to  bear  themselves  up  amidst  the  winds  and  waters  of 
commotion  and  strife,  might  commit  themselves  to  the  sea 
of  popular  tumult,  and  escape  to  land.  But  it  is  not  to  be 
expected,  that  of  the  rest,  whether  on  the  boards  of  loose 
and  new  schemes,  or  broken  pieces  of  the  old  and  tried  ship, 
many  would  come  safe  to  shore. 

"  These  things,  my  brethren,  I  have  in  a  figure  transferred 
to  you  and  to  myself  for  the  people's  sake,  that,  if  possible, 
we  may  have  a  just  sense  of  the  danger  into  which  our 
connection  is  brought,  by  our  differing  in  our  sentiments 
and  views,  and  may  see  the  deep  importance  of  acting  in 
harmony.  And  although  we  must  not  give  up  the  govern- 
ment of  the  vessel  to  the  passengers,  many  of  whom  have 
but  lately  come  on  board,  and  know  nothing  about  the 
management  of  the  ship,  even  in  calm  weather,  yet  I  am 
not  against  our  hearkening  occasionally  to  the  advice  of 
those,  who,  having  made  a  long  voyage  with  our  late  skil- 


LIU  BPfl  HEN. SUN. 

ful  end  experienced  pilot,  are  not  unacquainted  wit:. 
plan  of  proceeding  in  wen  Ptormi  end  homctBM ;  that, 

if   possible,    he    might    >:tvr    the    vessel    to    the    li.-a\enly 
Ouiicr,  and  the  v«  rv  valuable  cargo  on  l)o:inl,  I  mean  the 
rational   tnd  iinmortal   spirits  on   their   roj 
happiness 

On   the    tir^t  day  of  tin-  twfWKl    a    conniiitii  «  .    eom- 
Maed   ehielly   of  tin-    xuior   prearlnr- .  pointed   10 

examine  -Mr.  kilham's  writings,  !<>r  the  pur;  lect- 

111-4  them  them  sucb  -  as  reflected  on  th< 

oi  the  preachers,  or  impugned  the  mlea  and  n- 
oi  the  bod) .    Two  or  thion  d  »\  -  w  i  re  occupied  in  examin- 
ing tip  .  and  bearing  what  Mr.  Kilham  bad  to 

say  in  d<  I'  DOC  <>f  them  i    and.  alt.  r  I  lull  and  patient  U 
ligation  of  the  whole  bi  e  preachers  came 

almost  unanimous  \<>te,  thai  Mr.  Kilham  was  onworthy  of 
having  ■  place  in  the  body  ;  and  the  president  had  the 
painful  dutj  of  informing  him.  that  h<  i  11<  d  from 

the  connection.     But,  on  Uigoat  8th,  a  Int. 
from  him,  the  '  of  which  seemed  to  indicate  some 

desire  to  return.     Thr  conference,  willing  to  lease  him  no 

shadow  of  excuse,  appointed,  w  nh  his  cons*  nt.  a  committee 
to  converse  w  ith  him  <>n  his  case,  and  to  ooasidof  an\  pro- 

poeal  that  be  might  choose  n  make.  The  romnnflon  i  on- 
sisted  of  the  president,  Messrs.  Mather,  Pewson,  Thomp- 
son, Bradburn,  Benson,  Bradford,  and  Moore.  They 
■pent    much  tune  with   hnn.  and  gSYC    him  an   opportunity 

of  saying  what  he  thought  propei ;  and  treated  bins,  as  he 

acknowledged,  with  the  utmost  respect  and  tenderness; 
hut  on  the  rules  of  pacification  being  read  to  him,  his  an- 
swer was,  that  "he  thought  many  Of  them  unseriptural, 
and  he  could  not  conform  to  them."  The  secretary  hav- 
ing read  the  above  report  to  the  conference,  it  was  finally 
determined,  that  "he  could  bare  DO  place  in  the  connec- 
tion, while  he  continued  in  his  present  opinions." 


184  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

The  result  of  Mr.  Kilham's  expulsion  was,  the  formation 
of  the  New  Connection ;  by  which  from  five  to  six  thou- 
sand members  were  severed  from  the  Wesleyan  body.  In 
the  month  of  September,  Mr.  Benson  published  an  An- 
swer to  Mr.  Kilham's  account  of  his  trial ;  in  which  he 
fully  proves,  that  the  conference  was  justified  in  expelling 
a  man,  who  not  only  opposed  his  private  opinion  on  the 
subject  of  governing  the  connection  to  the  unanimous  vote 
of  all  his  brethren,  but  resolved  to  act  upon  that  opinion, 
though  at  the  expense  of  dividing  numerous  societies." 

The  following  are  extracts  from  Mr.  Benson's  journal : 
— "  January  20th,  1797.  I  have  been  employed  some  time 
these  two  last  days  in  reading,  with  much  attention,  Dr. 
Whitby's  notes  on  those  passages  of  Scripture  which  re- 
spect the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
body,  and  a  future  state  ;  as  also  his  discourse,  subjoined 
to  his  notes  on  the  millennium.  And  I  have  found  what 
he  has  advanced  on  these  subjects,  in  general,  very  satis- 
factory, and  strengthening  to  my  faith  and  hope,  as  well 
as  refreshing  and  comforting  to  my  mind.  And,  since  I 
read  him  on  the  subjects  in  question,  I  have  found  more 
than  usual  nearness  to  God,  and  confidence  in  him,  with  a 
hope  full  of  immortality. 

"  February  16th.  I  have  spent  four  very  comfortable 
and  profitable  days,  chiefly  in  writing,  reading  the  Hebrew 
Scriptures,  and  in  prayer.  This  morning,  in  particular,  I 
was  much  comforted  in  reading  Genesis  xiv,  respecting 
Melchizedek's  meeting  and  blessing  Abraham ;  and  chap- 
ter xv,  respecting  his  faith  in  God,  when  he  promised  that 
his  seed  should  be  as  the  stars  ;  and  God's  entering  into  co- 
venant with  him  and  representing  the  affliction  his  posterity 
should  suffer  by  the  smoking  furnace,  and  their  deliverance 
afterward  by  the  burning  lamp,  passing  between  the  two 
pieces.  I  never  before  had  either  such  a  discernment  of 
the  meaning  of  the  passage,  or  was  so  profited  in  reading 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  I  185 

it.     .My  mind,  to©,  wu  much  <  nlightened  and 
in  the  faith  of  the  gospel ;  and  I  found  peculiar  confidence 
and  nearness  to  the  Lord  in  prayi  r.  believing  that  he  w 
hear  and  answer  my  petitions  lor  myself,  that  I  aright  he 

made    more  holy  ami  useful  than  ever;    tor  niv  fami!\ 

burch  of  God,  and  the  nation,  now  in  ureal  dial 

O,  how  tW<  el    I    !<»iuid    it  .    ho*    un- 

willing I  was  to  be  interrupted! — February  26th.    At 
peltown,  this  da  ,.  I  bad  much  liberty,  and  we  had 

a   precious  opportunity  :    bat  at    Leeda,    both    mornin<_'  and 

much  straitened,  and  bad  very  little  either 
oi  confidence  or  comfort;  which  has  distressed  me  \erv 
much.      <>  that   I   could  trust  more  in  the    Lord,  and   M 

myself  mote  lo  him,  that  I  may  he  ass^n,!  ,)r  deaerted 
just  as  it  pleases  aim!     Bat,  ilea,  I  am  iar  Gran  baring 

attained   tins   resignation. —  Mai.  b    nli.     Bleaaad  be  the 
Lord,  lie  has  tills  morning  risiied  our  servant  in  m< 
I  pward  of  thn  e  \\  ■  i  kt   bum  i    the  heard  dm  , 
4  Thou  art  weighed  in  the  balsajoea,  and  foamd  wantiag :' 

she    was   m   ^reat  distress  of   mind,   intolerably   burdened 

with  a  tense  of  sin.  so  tl  ould  with  difficulty  either 

eat,  drink,  or  sleep,  or  do  her  Work.      And  :it  list  the  misery 

of  her  mind  exceedingly  affected  her  body.  Though  aha 
frequently  wept,  yet  she  maintained  thai  hat  bean 

verv  hard,  and  said  that  she  was  Strongly  tempted  to  think 

that  ihe  should  never  and  mere)  .  on  the 

brink  of  despair.     lint  last  eight,  being  prevailed  npon  to 

go  to  bed,  shout  eleven  o'clock,  a  thought  .struck  her  mind, 
that  ( rod  IS  said  to  he  found  of  them  that  did  not  seek  him. 
Encouraged  by  this  consideration,  she  rose  out  of  bed,  fell 
down  on  in  r  knees,  and  prayed  earnestly  for  mercy.     She 

SOOn  experienced   some  comf  >rt  ;    and  before   three  o'clock 

10  filled  with  peace  sad  J05  in  believing,  that  no  doubt 

:e  .  ept  in'      U  ith  <  >od  remained  on  her  mind. 
"  March  23d.   Being  informed  of  some  discontents  among 


186  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

some  of  our  friends  at  Halifax,  respecting  our  plan  and 
affairs  transacted  at  the  district  meeting  and  at  the  con- 
ference ;  and  that  they  had  drawn  up  an  Address  to  the 
Preachers  and  People,  with  a  view  to  publish  it ;  having 
previously  written  to  them  once  and  again,  at  the  request 

of  Mr. ,  and  some  others,  I  rode  thither  to-day,  and 

met  and  endeavoured  to  satisfy  all  parties.  I  hope,  with 
regard  to  several  of  them,  my  labour  has  not  been  in  vain. 
In  the  evening  we  had  a  very  crowded  congregation ;  to 
which  I  preached  on  the  nature  and  sin  of  schism." 

This  year  the  conference  was  held  in  Leeds  ;  at  which 
Mr.  Benson  was  appointed  to  the  Hull  circuit.  Here  he 
arrived  September  1st;  when  he  says,  "Blessed  be  God 
for  all  his  mercies !  Although  the  house  is  not  equal  to 
that  we  left  at  Leeds,  either  for  size,  convenience,  or  situa- 
tion, yet  I  trust  God  will  give  us  peace  and  comfort  in  it, 
which  I  beg  he  may,  and  at  the  same  time  give  us  to  see 
his  work  flourish." 

Under  date  September  27th,  Mr.  Benson  says,  "that 
the  affairs  of  the  Huddersfield  circuit  were  in  a  most  dis- 
tracted state  ;  that  the  trustees  of  the  Huddersfield  chapel 
had  shut  it  against  the  preachers,  and  received  Mr.  Kil- 
ham,  Mr.  Thom,  and  their  helpers.  Most  of  the  society 
went  over  to  the  seceding  party,  and  several  in  other  parts 
of  the  circuit.  In  the  Halifax  circuit  about  two  hundred 
members  of  the  society  joined  what  they  termed  the  New 
Connection.  About  that  time,  several  chapels,  in  various 
parts  of  England,  were,  by  their  respective  trustees,  shut 
against  the  preachers.  But  in  the  midst  of  the  storms  and 
tempests  which  agitated  the  connection,  at  that  eventful 
era  of  its  history,  God  so  accompanied  the  Jabours  of  the 
preachers  by  the  powerful  workings  of  his  Spirit,  that  the 
numbers  in  society,  at  the  ensuing  conference,  were  found 
to  amount  to  upward  of  fifteen  hundred  more  than  they  had 
been  previous  to  the  division ;  and  in  the  course  of  the 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH 

follow  in Lr  year,  the   mcreese  amounted  to  ipwd  i 
thousand  membi 

December  19th,  being  the  day  appointed  by  gorefUMafl 
lor  a  general  thanksgiving  to  Ahnigfar  on  account 

of  three   naval   vi« ■■■  antly  obtained,    Mr.  Benson 

bad  in  the  morning  and  evening  at  Hull,  from  I 

1,  1  L,  1.").  and    Psalm  xl'vi.   1.      u  In  the  evening,*1  he 

•'uc  had  almoal  a  Sunday-night's  coi  \11  the 

churcl  iled,  and  the  pro;. 

i.vout.      Uut,  to  th< 

many  other  places,  the  play-'.  re  open  i; 

ing.     I  licard  Mr.  1  Mk<-v.  m  th»-  forenoon,  planch  i 
useful  sermon,  from  Psalm  ii,  11.  '  Rejoice  with  trembling.' 
llf   showed,  at  large,  what  re  had  to  treaabtej 

H  not  Ixi.  ■  r,  and  v\<  ■  sinful  p<  ople." 

January    1st,   1798,   Mr     BoRSOnsays:    •"  1   thank  G 

bare  been  retj  ceesfortable  in  my  mind  to-day,  and  have 

been  enabled  ta  tally 

at  the  meeting  which  wo  kept  at  night,  for  rem 

onr    covenant    with    Uod.        1    believe    many    found     it     a 

very  awful  an!  v<  t   refreshing  seeeafL      o  that  1   any 
snblsd  to  devote   ni\  m  If    ii  •       sjd  lo 

walk  more  closx  ly  with  him  than  1  have  overdone!  And 
ma\  he  more  thin  »\<r  Uoas  m\  labours  '  I  «  hruary 
'S2<\.  Subscriptions  being  *t  I  on  foot  m  all  parts  of  the 
kingdom,  for  the  defence  of  the  nation,  at  thia  critical  tune, 
when  wo  are  threatened  with  invasion  from  the  French, 
manv  oi   our  principal   friends    met    this   afternoon   in    the 

veeWy,  to  consider  of  the  propriety  o\  sneering  into  i 
scription  among  ourselves,  and  to  open  ■  hook  for  that 
pereot  i  a  little  conversation,  we  concluded  thai  it 

would  he  very  proper  ;  and  SpWSrd  of  eiiiht  hundred  and 
thirty-five  pounds  were  snhacribsd  immediately  !  After 
preaching,  1  mentioned  the  husiness  to  the  congregation ; 
and  I  doubt  not  that  manv  more  will   subscribe. "      r'ebru- 


188  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON 

ary  25th  he  says  :  "  Stopping  in  town,  on  account  of  the 
subscription  for  the  defence  of  the  nation,  and  to  make  a 
selection  of  hymns  proper  for  the  approaching  fast,  I 
preached  this  morning  on  the  first  Psalm  ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing on  Gal.  vi,  15.  I  thank  God,  I  was  much  assisted, 
particularly  in  the  evening :  and,  I  trust,  the  word  was 
made  a  blessing  to  many.  My  own  mind  has  been  kept 
in  great  peace,  and  has  also  been  comforted  to-day,  espe- 
cially during  service  at  the  church  in  the  forenoon." 

June  1st  he  spent  some  time  in  earnest  and  solemn 
prayer  to  God  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Edward  Hare,  a  young 
man  who  was  appointed  to  the  York  circuit,  where  an  ad- 
ditional preacher  was  required.  Mr.  Hare  travelled  in 
the  Methodist  connection  twrenty  years,  with  an  unblemish- 
ed character,  and  with  great  acceptance  and  eminent 
success.  He  possessed  a  comprehensive  mind,  which  he 
cultivated  with  uncommon  assiduity,  and  with  unremitting 
diligence.  His  talents  as  a  preacher  were  of  a  superior 
order  ;  and  his  numerous  writings  in  defence  of  the  truth 
were  distinguished  by  honest  zeal  and  great  force  of  argu- 
ment. When  interrogated,  a  little  before  his  death,  con- 
cerning his  views  of  those  doctrines  which  he  had  preach- 
ed and  defended,  he  replied,  "  They  are  interwoven  with 
my  existence.  I  might  as  well  attempt  to  think  myself  a 
mere  imagination,  as  strive  to  disbelieve  any  of  them.  The 
great  doctrines  of  Methodism  I  love.  It  is  by  insisting 
upon  them  that  good  is  done.  In  fact,  little  good  is  done 
in  the  world  without  a  proportionate  share  of  the  vital  arti- 
cles of  Methodism."  He  terminated  his  valuable  life  at 
Exeter,  whither  he  had  gone  for  the  benefit  of  the  air, 
gloriously  exulting  in  the  prospect  of  a  blessed  immortality. 

June  18th  Mr.  Benson  received  a  letter  from  one  of  the 
preachers  in  Ireland,  giving  an  account  of  the  cruelties 
inflicted  by  the  Papists  on  the  Protestants,  during  the  re- 
bellion in  that  country.     "  He  observes,"  says  Mr.  Benson, 


LIFE  8  189 

"that  the  rebels,  wherever  they  came,  exhibit! 
mean  oi  tik  ii  i  .1.  ity,'  burning  who;. 

id  taking  children,  who  were  striving  to  et 
on  their  pikes,  and  canting  them  into  the  flames  ; — that 

even  their  women    DO  Um  Bed   to  bare  UM 

of  humanity  ;   ■  thirst  lor  blood  SXtUglliabiBg  in  them  all 

the  tender  arteetions  of  nature,  witli  the  timidity  j>.  i 

to    tin  so    thai    they    not    only   promj.tr. 1    . 

to  these  criH-ltii  s,   bul   were  thenneeh  sta   in   the 

benineas  ; — thai  every  ;  -and  that 

such  was  the  l" neral  alarm,  that  BOM  in  the  country 
dared     to    confide    m    bit     most     intin.  .  ibour.    or 

hitherto   faithful   domestic,  that  was   s    Papist;    r> 

iiiij   tin-    whole    Md    united    in    the    psV 
murder." 

At  the  O  held  this  year  in  Bristol,  Mr.  B< 

was  elected  to  the  office  of  pr<  sid<  nt.     He  so  deeply  felt 

tlie  reSpOPeibility  of  that    oil:  under  date   of  July 

30th.  •  Having  slept  reiy  little  last  night,  chiefly 

through  ai  mind,  I  bare  been  rerj  poorly  I 

and    have  found    m\  unlit    indeed  for  the  oil. 

which  my  brethren  have  appointed  me.  rix.,  that  of 
d>n'  §f  'iu   cmfirtnee.      This   will   greatly  increase  asy 

labour    this   conference,  and    allow    me   little   or   no    - 
tune;   but   I  hope  the   Lord  will  lit  and   Strengthen    I 
ihe  work." 

Having,  in  his  official  capacity, to  preach  before  th- 

fetence,    \u«j.  5th,  In'  spent  two  iiours  fan  the  afternoon  in 

preparing  for  the  occasion.     The  chapel  was  amazingly 

crowded.     He  wis  in,.  I  u  explaining 

and  applying  K/.k.  wxin.  7-9.  i;<>-;>.  pre*  ben  snd  peo- 
ple were  rety  attentive,  and  seemed  much  effected  j  and 
we  had  a  solemn  BCaOOP  in  admitting  the  preach* 

Some  time  in  the  course  of  the  >8,  Mr.  William 

Dawson  (a  name  well  known  in  the  .Methodist  connection) 


190  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

wrote  to  Mr.  Benson,  to  know  whether  it  was  his  opinion 
that  he  should  be  more  useful  in  the  Church,  than  among 
the  Methodists.  The  following  is  Mr.  Benson's  an- 
swer:— 

"  York,  October  30th,  1798. 

"  Dear  Sir, — Having  been  very  much  engaged  since  I 
was  favoured  with  your  letter,  it  has  not  been  in  my  power 
to  pay  proper  attention  to  it  till  now.  And  even  now,  hav- 
ing only  half  an  hour  to  spare  here  upon  a  journey  I  am 
taking  into  the  north,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  return  you  such 
an  answer  as  you  will  probably  expect.  But  if  I  can  sug- 
gest any  hint  which  may  cast  light  upon  your  path,  I  shall 
be  glad. 

"  Let  me  observe,  1st.  It  is  matter  of  very  great  thank- 
fulness that  so  many  pious  ministers  have  got  into  the 
Church,  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  of  late  years, 
and  it  is  much  to  be  desired  that  more  still  should  be  in- 
troduced into  it ;  for,  as  you  observe,  '  thousands  will  hear 
the  gospel  in  the  Church,  who  will  not  hear  it  out  of  it.' 
Add  to  this,  we  are  at  no  loss  at  all  to  procure  preachers 
to  labour  in  our  connection  ;  we  have  more  who  offer  every, 
year  than  we  can  take  in ;  but  it  is  not  so  easy  to  find 
persons  proper  to  go  into  the  Church,  or  to  get  such  as 
are  proper  so  educated  as  that  they  can  be  admitted. 

"  Nevertheless,  though  I  speak  thus,  I  would  observe, 
2dly.  It  is  not  in  me  to  determine  how  far  it  will  be  your 
duty  to  endeavour  to  get  into  the  Church.  Divers  circum- 
stances should  be  taken  into  consideration  ;  as  your  incli- 
nation and  ability  to  apply  yourself  to  the  study  of  the 
classics  ;  how  far  you  can  be  spared  from  the  calls  of  your 
father's  family,  who,  it  seems,  are  partly  dependant  upon 
you  for  support.  The  loss  of  five  years,  which,  if  you 
went  to  the  university,  would  be  absolutely  necessary  to 
qualify  you  for  orders,  is  a  serious  objection,  which  I  could 
not  get  over,  were  it  not  for  the  prospect  of  greater  use- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BKNi  l-'l 

Fulness  afterward  ;  and  yet  ihia  is  doubtful,  should  it  picas** 
God  to  spare  your  life. 

11  rj>on  the  whole,  the  best  advice   I   can  ifivc  you  is,  to 
remember  Him  who  has  amid,  '  Acknowledge  me  in  all  thy 

WSJ  l,  and  I    will  direct  thy  paths.' 

••  h  poor  -Iitv.  an 

meetly,  and  believingly  ask  bis  direction,  jem 
tainly  shall  In-  favoured  with  it,  and  not  suffered  to  * 
wrong  step.     Praying  that  the  Lord  may  make  dsrkaeoa 
Light  before  you  in  the  bo  a  1  guide  you  continually, 

"I  remain  your  sincere  friend  and  brother, 

"  JoSBFfl    Ui  I  SSIf." 

This  letter,  though  evidently  written  in  haste,  was  suffi- 
cient to  >h<>u  Mr.  Dawson,  that  tb  lich  would 

be  thrown  in  bis  wav  of  Lr»tHnLr  episcopal  ordination  were 

nt  such  a  nature  as  should  induce  bun  to  paueo,  and  delibe- 
rate, and  ponder  the  path  of  bis  feet,  before  be  mad.-  nay 
attempt  to  gel  into  the  Church.     Ami  uY  with 

which  (Jod  bas  crowned  bia  labours,  during  a  proti 
life  of  active  and  efficient  service  in  the  Methodist  con- 
nection, must    have  convinced  bun  long  since,  thai  be  did 

righi  in  abiding  in  the  same  calling  wherein  he  was  called. 
Mr.  Benson  having  engaged  to  nsil  the  circuits  in  tbe 
north,  preached  on  bia  way.  morninga  and  evening 
York,  Darlington,  and  Durham,  to  large  ami  attentive  con- 
gregations. November  2d  be  preached  at  Sunderland: 
''And  although,"  be  says,  al  was  unwell,  having  slept 
none  at  all  last  night,  yet,  1  thank  ( lod,  many  seemed  much 
affected."    Two  days  afterward  he  preached  at  Sunderland 

again,  from,  "Take  heed   bow  ye   bear."      And  at  six   in 

the  evening,  such  crowds  came  to  bear,  tbat  many  hun- 
dreds, for  want  ol  space  in  the  chapel  to  admit  them,  were 
denied  that   pleasure.     "The   Lord."  says  he,  "  ast 
me  much;  and  I  trust  many  felt  tbe  word  quick  and  pow- 


192  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

erful,  while  I  enlarged  on,  '  God  will  judge  the  secrets  of 
men  by  Jesus  Christ.'  —  November  6th.  "  I  explained," 
says  he,  "  and  applied  Matthew  xx,  6,  with  much  liberty 
and  power ;  and  the  people  in  general  were  greatly  affect- 
ed. May  the  Lord  make  my  visit  here  a  means  of  reviving 
his  declining  cause  in  this  populous  town !" 

During  the  following  days,  he  preached  at  Alnwick, 
Burnop-fields,  Byken,  Shields,  and  several  other  places, 
and  returned  to  Hull  in  the  latter  end  of  November.  Jan- 
uary 22d,  1799,  he  makes  the  following  remarks: — "I 
thank  the  Lord,  my  mind  has  been  particularly  comfortable 
to-day,  and  I  have  had  serious,  sweet,  and  profitable  re- 
flections, while  meditating  on  the  truth,  nature,  and  im- 
portance of  the  religion  of  Jesus,  as  well  as  on  the  person 
and  glory  of  the  Son  of  God.  I  see  I  have  not  followed 
a  cunningly-devised  fable  ;  and  that,  in  spending  my  life 
in  continual  endeavours  to  spread  the  gospel,  I  have  not 
run  in  vain,  nor  laboured  in  vain.  But  I  am  persuaded,  I 
should  have  had  much  more  success,  if  I  had  lived  nearer 
to  God,  been  more  in  prayer,  and  had  more  of  the  divine 
presence  accompanied  the  word  I  have  been  enabled  to 
speak." — "  March  17th.  Having  been  kept  awake  almost 
all  last  night,  I  have  been  very  poorly  and  low  in  body  to- 
day. However,  I  have  endeavoured  to  go  through  my 
work  of  preaching  and  meeting  classes ;  but  with  little 
satisfaction  to  myself.  Alas  !  what  a  poor  creature  I  am  ! 
How  easily  unfitted  for  any  service  to  God  or  my  fellow- 
creatures  !  My  faith  and  patience  have  been  much  exer- 
cised of  late,  by  my  wife's  indisposition  :  our  servant  also 
has  been  much  afflicted.  May  all  these  trying  dispensa- 
tions be  sanctified  to  us." 

April  26th  he  says :  "  Yesterday  and  to-day  I  spent 
chiefly  at  Elloughton  and  Welton,  in  reading,  writing,  and 
visiting  the  sick.  My  mind  has  been  kept  in  peace,  and 
I  have  enjoyed  nearness  to  God.     I  have  been  grieved, 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  193 

nevertheless,  to  see  the  work  of  God  so  much  at  a  stand 
in  these  places  ;  the  word  of  ( rod,  to  all  appearance,  being 
preached  almost,  if  not  altogether,  in  vain.  Last  night,  at 
Wehon,  m  man}-  hearers;  but,  in  general,  I 

fear  they  m  re  very  imconeerned.  To-night,  as  usual,  sre 
had  very  few." — "May  18th.  In  the  forenoon  I  called  to 
see  that  eminently  good,  but  orach  afflicted  woman.  Mrs. 
Green.     I  found  her,  though  under  a  Ion  i,  and 

distressing  affliction,  poi  of  mind, 

sweetly  resigned  to  the  will  of  God,  and  rejoicing  in  hope 

of  his  <_d«»r\.  although  not  without  many  assaults  from 
the    powers  of   f ! :•  rk : . •  —        8h<     requested  me  to  ur<je    the 

people  ererywheie  to  read  the  word  of  God,  and  make 

lelves  irell  acquainted  with  it;   signifying  that  the 

bleated  truths  and  promises  of  it  were  her  chief  support 

in  tins  time  of  trial." 

May  27th  he  went  to  York,  to  attend  the  annual  dial 
meeting.     Among  the  regulations  proposed  to  be  recom- 
mended  to  the  conference  were  the  following  :    ■•*  Wt  irere 

of  opinion."  sa\  1  Mr.  Benson,  M  1  .  That  it  would  be  advisa- 
ble, Occasionally,  to  meet  the  BOH  rants  apart,  and  also  the 
married  and  mh<jI<-  persons,  in  OUl  That  we 

ought  to  insist  tnore  than  we  do  on  relatire  duties.  ?>.  Tha» 
eril-epeaking  i^  a  prevailing  sin  in  our  societies;  and  that 
to  check  it.  the  sermon  on  eril-epeaking  should  ho  read  to, 
or  circulated  in,  tin-  societies,  as  the  Minutes  of  the  con- 
ferenot  direct  l.  That,  to  increase  the  gifts  of  the  local 
preachers,  it  would  he  well  for  the  trarelling  pr. 
hear  them  frequently,  with  all  possible  attention,  and  after- 
ward mention  to  them  what  they  might  judge  erroneous  in 
doctrine,  or  improper  in  language,  pronunciation,  or  man- 
ner. 5.  That  our  people  should  be  cautioned  against  un- 
scdptural  expressions,  vrhen  speaking  of  their  expei  • 
— as  that  of  full  salvation,  when   they  only  me 

and  against  speaking  as  though  a  man  might  be  jus 
9 


194  LFFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

tified,  and  not  at  all  sanctified.  6.  That  many  of  those 
who  exercise  in  prayer  meetings  are  blameable,  in  exhort- 
ing persons  to  believe,  without  explaining  to  them  the 
nature  of  faith,  or  showing  them  what  or  how  they  are  to 
believe." 

In  the  forenoon  of  June  2d  he  attended  the  service  of 
the  church  in  Hull,  and  heard  a  sermon  from  Heb.  xi,  24- 
26 ;  in  which  the  preacher  showed,  "  1.  That  young  per- 
sons, as  soon  as  they  come  to  years,  so  as  to  be  capable 
of  it,  ought  to  exercise  the  faculties  imparted  to  them,  in 
choosing  the  objects  they  intend  to  pursue  in  after  life. 
2.  The  things  offered  unto  their  choice:  (1.)  On  the  one 
hand,  riches,  honours,  pleasures ;  and  (2.)  on  the  other, 
salvation,  with  reproach  and  affliction.  3.  That  all  God's 
people  make  the  choice  that  Moses  made.  4.  The  means 
whereby,  and  the  ground  on  which,  they  make  it.  By 
faith  ;  and  on  this  ground,  (1.)  the  pleasures  of  sin  are  but 
for  a  season ;  and  (2.)  they  have  respect  unto  the  recom- 
pense of  reward." 

June  19th  he  writes  :  "  I  have  been  low  in  my  mind,  and 
exercised  with  various  temptations,  that  have  harassed  me 
occasionally  for  years.  0  that  the  Lord  would  interpose 
and  deliver  me  ;  or,  at  least,  make  his  grace  sufficient  for 
me,  that  I  may  not  be  tempted  above  that  I  am  able  to 
bear !  I  preached  with  liberty  and  satisfaction  in  the 
evening ;  and  the  word,  I  believe,  was  blessed  to  many. 
But  in  meeting  the  classes  afterward,  I  found  my  mind 
much  exercised  with  the  misconduct  of  some,  and  the  rash 
and  bitter  zeal  of  others,  who  seem  as  if  they  would  tear 
the  little  society  to  pieces,  and  quite  destroy  the  work  of 
God  in  the  village.  I  was  obliged  to  exclude  two  ;  and  I 
endeavoured  to  soften  the  rest  as  well  as  I  could." 

The  circumstances  of  Mr.  Benson's  family  prevented 
him  from  attending  the  following  conference,  held  at  Man- 
chester.    Speaking  on  this  subject,  he  says :  "  I  trust,  at 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENS  WO 

inv  lark  <  Mid  that  things 

will  he  as  well  onion-, 1  as  if  1  bad  been  jr.  ■  \iul  I 

t,  by  Staying  at  honn-.  to  have  a  Little  leisure  for  : 
ir»Lr.  writing,  ami  retirement  ;    and  hope   it   will  I  i 
and  lasting  use  to  my  soul.      <  i  it,  for  h 

•am 

Hut   though   he  was   not    present,  >'«"t   the   thai 

conference    were    rott  I   to  him   for  his  "diligence  and 
Impartiality  fan  the  execution  of  his  office,  ;i-  theat  ; 

In  reply  to  an  official  letter  teal  to  him  from  the 
confer  ned  by  the  president  and 

'•  Mr.    Ili!Aiimi:\  :     I  I  .  — I    hav.  I    the 

letter  of  thanks  signed  by  you  aa  the  president,  and  Dr. 
Coke,  at  secretary,  in  behalf  of  ti.-  and  most 

4  you  to  take  the  first  convenient  opportunity  oi  sig- 
nifying to  mem  the  deep  m  ase  I  i  nfei  nam  of  tin-  n  - 
they  showed  me,  in  choosing  me  president  mat  i 

Of  my  utter  unworthiuess.  both  of  being  put  into  that  of 

and  of  their  thanks  for  the  manner  1  <; 

of  it,   being    conscious   of  my  insuflS 

weighty  task.     1  most  sincerely  lore  the  brethren,  and  the 

Methodist  connection    in  general,  and  hare  lo 

ronred  to  serre  both  to  the  atrnoat  of  my  power  ;  hut  bare 

sis  ays  bad  to  i  4  both 

gifts  and  grace  for  so  high  ami  holy  a  catting 

serving  God  and  his  church.     1  congratulate  you  an  your 

appointment  to  the  office  of  president  this  year;   and  I 

douht  not  you  will  discharge  it.  if  not  with  better  intent 

yet  with  Lrreatrr  ability,  than 

'•  Your  sincere  friend,  hut  unworthy  brother, 

M  losara  Bsnsoii." 

August  20th  he  says:   '-This  morning  1  finished  Beat- 
tie's  i  Evidences  of  the  Christian  Religion,'  in  two  small 


196  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

volumes :  an  excellent  little  work,  and  well  suited  to  the 
state  of  young  persons,  for  whose  instruction  and  estab- 
lishment it  was  principally  written.  It  would  be  well, 
indeed,  if  young  people  in  general,  of  the  more  intelligent 
and  better-educated  class,  would  read  it  carefully." — "  Oc- 
tober 1st.  This  day  we  dedicated  our  youngest  child,  now 
eight  weeks  old,  to  the  Lord,  in  baptism  ;  and  named  him 
1  Samuel,'  not  because  he  was  asked  of  the  Lord,  but 
because  the  Lord  has  given  him  to  us  in  our  declining 
years,  and  has  heard  prayer,  in  wonderfully  sparing  and 
preserving  and  restoring  my  wife,  when,  to  all  appearance, 
she  was  not  likely  to  survive.  In  gratitude,  therefore,  for 
his  mercies,  we  give  him  to  the  Lord,  and  desire  that  he 
may  live  to  show  forth  his  praise. — October  14th.  In  the 
morning  I  read,  with  much  pleasure  and  profit,  the  fourth 
of  Dr.  Coke's  sermons,  on  the  duties  of  a  minister  of  the 
gospel ;  viz.,  the  sermon  on  the  importance  of  giving 
themselves  continually  to  prayer.  I  was  much  humbled 
under  a  consideration  that  I  had  not  given  myself  so  much 
to  it  as  I  ought ;  and  that  this  was  one  great  reason  why 
I  had  not  been  more  useful,  as  well  as  more  holy,  and 
why  the  word  had  not  been  accompanied  with  more  unc- 
tion and  been  more  blessed  to  the  people.  I  found  my 
mind  drawn  out  in  strong  desire  to  give  myself  more  to  it 
than  ever ;  and,  by  the  grace  of  God,  resolved  so  to  do.  I 
afterward  spent  some  time  in  sweet  and  comfortable  prayer 
for  myself  and  the  success  of  my  labours,  for  my  wife  and 
children,  especially  for  God's  blessing  on  my  eldest  son, 
being  afraid  to  dedicate  him  to  the  ministry,  lest  he  should 
not  be  called  of  God  to  that  important  but  perilous  office. 
May  the  Lord  direct  me !  He  knows  I  would  rather  he 
were  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  than  any  thing  else,  if  I 
thought  God  called  him. 

"November  19th.  How  true  it  is,  that  in  the  midst  of 
life  we  are  in  death !     This  morning  I  narrowly  escaped 


LIFJ:  OF  JOnEPH  BBN8    N 

being  killed,  through  a  fall  from  my  bone,  when  I 
within  n  mile  of  home  He  f<  11  quite  down,  not  only  on 
his  knees,  hut  upon  his  face,  and  I  went  over  his  head, 
and  being  entangled  in  the  stirrup,  he  tumbled  partly  upon 
me.  I  int.  bleased  be  God,  I  iraa  rery  little  hurt.  Surely, 
he  gives  his  concerning  us.     (>  that  we 

could  trust  in  him  more,  and  be  ah  ry  forour 

change,  since  i  en  it  will  pass  upon  us! 

— January    1st,    1800.   This   J  Mrith   me.   with 

affliction   and   pain.     I   ban  luring  the 

greatest  part  of  this  day.  baring  had  few  intenrala  oi  • 
However,  with  the  t  of  Mr.  Thompson  and  Mr. 

Myles,  I  was  enabled  to  hold  the  corenant  meeting ;  audi 
found  my  mind  refreshed  and  comforted,  especially  while 
wt  were  singing, 

4  Vil 

Lo  '  >  thy  call  : 

M 

r  all, 
] . 

All  laV 

The  whole  of  that  precious  hymn  w;is  much  bleased  to  my 
soul.      \\  »•  endeavoured  to  i  id,  in 

the  words  of  Dr.  Doddridge,  contained  is  his  '  Ri* 
Progress  of  Religion  in  the  Soul.' — January  ith.  I 
have  been  four  rsty  distressing  days  indeed.  May  the 
Lord  support  me  under  this  affliction,  and  sanctify  it  to 
me '  I  bless  his  name,  1  find  a  strong  hope  that  he  will. 
— January  5th.  Although  this  has  been  the  Lord's  day,  I 
have  not  hem  able  to  preach,  or  engage  in  any  public  duty. 
But  I  thank  the  Lord,  I  base  round  it  profitable  to  wait 
upon  him  in  private,  have  had  a  measure  of  access,  with 
confidence,  to  a  throne  of  grace,  and  been  encouraged  and 
refreshed  with  reading  a  sermon  on,  '  The  eyes  of  the 
Lord  are  over  the  righteous.'     I  trust  the  Lord,  in  his  due 


198  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

time,  will  hear  prayer,  and  remove  this  distressing  afflic- 
tion. May  he  do  it,  for  his  mercies'  sake! — February 
22d.  I  still  suffer  much.  I  have  been  in  extreme  pain 
almost  the  whole  of  this  day.  But  what  have  been  my 
sufferings,  in  comparison  of  those  endured  by  my  Master, 
or  of  that  noble  army  of  martyrs,  some  of  whom  were 
impaled  alive  !  Alas !  that  man  should  be  so  cruel  to 
man,  immersed  as  he  is  in  miseries,  having  sufficient 
sufferings  through  the  infirmity  and  mortality  of  his  condi- 
tion, and  the  ten  thousand  trials  and  troubles  of  life  !" 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Report  from  the  clergy  in  the  diocess  of  Lincoln — Mr.  Benson  an- 
swers their  pamphlet — Observations  on  the  Toleration  Act — Mr.  Ben- 
son's visit  to  Mr.  Mather — An  account  of  his  sickness  and  death — Mr. 
Benson's  appointment  to  the  London  circuit — An  account  of  the  Rev. 
P.  Dickinson — A  petition  from  the  London  quarterly  meeting  to  the 
conference  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Benson's  continuance  a  fourth  year  in  Lon- 
don— His  appointment  to  the  office  of  editor  of  the  Magazine — His 
answer  to  Dr.  Hales,  an  Irish  clergyman — Mr.  Benson  preaches  at  the 
opening  of  Carver-street  chapel,  in  Sheffield — Mr.  Pitt's  death — Re- 
marks on  Popery — Mr.  Pawson's  death — Mr.  Benson  begins  to  write 
a  Commentary  on  the  Bible — His  wife's  death — He  is  chosen  presi- 
dent a  second  time — Death  of  Lady  Mary  Fitzgerald — Mr.  Macdonald's 
appointment  as  an  assistant  editor — Mr.  Percival's  death — An  address 
from  the  committee  of  privileges  to  the  Methodist  societies. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  year  1800,  "  A  Report  from  the 
Clergy  of  a  District  in  the  Diocess  of  Lincoln"  was  printed 
and  published  ;  a  copy  of  which  was  sent  to  Mr.  Benson, 
by  the  late  Thomas  Thompson,  Esq.,  of  Hull.  In  this 
report  the  authors  express  their  uufeigned  sorrow  at  the 
degraded  and  demoralized  state  of  many  of  their  parishion- 
ers.    "  That  not  one-third  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  their 


:    PH     BEN*  199 

parishes  attend  divine  service,  Bad  thai  not  b  part 

adults,  tli*-  communion  ;  that  sick  pi 
dom  requj 

thai  parents  ami  in  very  remiss  m  enforcing  the 

attendance  of  their  children  and  servants  on  divine  wtnv 
.ship,  and  on  catechetical  instrnction;  and  it  is  with  diffi- 
culty tin-  children  an-  prevailed  upon  to  attend,  or  p 
to  >«'iid  them  to.  the  Sundaj  schools;    and  that  uY 
alnoat   ■  total  disuse  of  iamil\   prayer  and  n 
Scriptures."     They  also  in  tins  report 
for  that  neglect  of  religions  duties  which  thej 
Among  these,  the)   n  ckoned  the  circulation  of  pr o 

if,  and  seditious  a  ritingi .  the  irregular  management 
of  ale-houses,  p  It-fightings 

and  r*  beva.      Hut  uY 

.  and  that  which  peculiarly  engaged  tlnir  attention, 
and  which  they  most  feelingl)  •  !•  plored,  was  tl 
ol  Methodism.     Mi  deemed  i(  bis  dutj 

tins  pamphlet :  and,  M  M>   reason  for  doing  it," 
u  is,  because  we  ba  tion  that  it  i>  1 1  k •  ly 

rough  tin*  inflt  the  bishe 

Lincoln,  of  his  majesty's  ministers  bringing  forward  a  Lull 
that  will  restrain  our  liberty,  and  abridge  our  privili 
In  hi*>  \  indication  of  the  Methodists,  a  bich  contains  forty- 
two  octavo  pagea,  be  saj  i,  ••  I  bere  is  somethinf 
traordinary  indeed  in  this !  The  in  riists 

is  the  cause  of  the  neglect  of  religious  duties  .  and  yet  the 
Methodists  arc  constantly  inculcating  religious  duties,  and 
do  not  so  much  p  in,  their 

any  person  who  lives'  in  the  neglect  of  them.     Hut  •  you 

draw  people   from    the  church,  and  from  the    sacram 

the  church.*     Suppose  this  were  true,  which  in  gi 

it  is  not,  it  would  not  follow  that   we  made   people  n 

religious  duties,  unl<  tc  i  be  shown  that  r*-. 

lies  must,  of  n<  e  confined  to  the  Church  of  I 


200  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

land,  and  that  God  cannot  be  acceptably  worshipped  any- 
where else.  But  I  say,  it  is  not  true.  Thousands,  in  all 
parts  of  the  kingdom,  who  seldom  or  never  came  within 
the  church  walls,  till  they  heard  us,  but  loitered  away  the 
precious  hours  of  the  Lord's  day  in  their  own  houses,  or 
in  idle  recreations,  or  visits,  or  in  journeys  of  pleasure,  or 
in  such  worldly  business  as  these  clergymen  mention,  now 
see  the  evil  of  such  practices,  and  have  abandoned  them  ; 
attend  divine  service  in  the  Church  of  England  once  or 
twice  every  Lord's  day,  and  the  Lord's  supper  whenever 
it  is  administered  in  the  church,  which,  in  country  places, 
it  is  to  be  deplored,  is  not  often." 

As  one  remedy  for  the  removal  of  the  evils  of  which 
these  clergymen  complain,  they  recommend  certain  "  ex- 
planations and  amendments  of  the  Toleration  Act."  On 
this  subject  Mr.  Benson  observes  :  "  So  far  as  the  business 
concerns  the  Methodists,  I  beg  leave  to  remark,  that  it 
would  be  an  easy  thing  for  the  legislature  of  this  kingdom 
to  amend  or  explain  that  act,  so  as  to  lay  the  whole  body 
of  the  Methodists,  and  their  hearers,  not  fewer,  in  Great 
Britain  and  Ireland,  than  half  a  million,  under  the  neces- 
sity of  formally  withdrawing  from  the  established  Church, 
and  declaring  themselves  Dissenters.  It  is  true,  the 
Methodists  would  not  take  this  step  without  great  reluc- 
tance :  but  they  would  rather  take  it  a  thousand  times, 
than  be  deprived  of  those  privileges  of  edification  which 
they  have  enjoyed  in  peace  for  above  half  a  century." 

In  reply  to  certain  insinuations  which  had  been  thrown 
out  by  these  clergymen,  that  Methodism  was  unfavourable 
to  loyalty,  Mr.  Benson  quotes  several  passages  from  the 
Minutes  of  conference,  to  show  that  the  most  unfeigned 
loyalty  to  the  king,  and  attachment  to  the  constitution, 
were  publicly  professed  by  the  preachers,  and  uniformly 
inculcated  on  the  minds  of  the  people. 

April  13th,  Easter-day,  Mr.   Benson  preached  in  the 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEK  -  -'"1 

morning,  from  Luke  xxiv,  34;  when  he  i:  "  It 

was  a  very  precious  time.  The  congregation  was  much 
affected,  and,  I  believe,  many  were  much  comforted."  In 
tin-  afternoon  al  the  love-feast  the  presence  of  God  was 
felt  by  young  and  old  ;  many  spok<-  their  experience  in  a 

very  instructive  and  affecting  manner.      In  the  evrni: 

preached  to  a  larL"-  congregation,  from  l  Peter  iii,  18. 

\bout  tins  time  a  considerable  degree  of  apprehension 
was  excited  among  tin-  Methodists,  by  a  report  that 
in  circulation,  thai  M.   Ingelo  Tayloi  intended  to  bring  a 
bill  into  parliament,  which  ironld,  if  enacted  into  a  law, 
greatly  abridge  their  religions  privileges.     On  tin--  bu 
Mr.  Benson  says:  M  Having  written  to  Mr.  Ward,  Jan.,  :it 

Durham,  last  W.  dne-d  i\  .  to  advise  hnn  to  use  his  influence 

with  ML  Angelo  Taylor,  their  lately  choeen  membt 

induce  him  to  withdraw  his  intended  hill,  I  had  the  plea- 
sure to-day  of  receiving  the  following  answer  to  that  part 
of  my  letter  : — 

"'  Dkak  Sir, — I  have  now  the  tattsfsctiou  ofwfornring 

you  that   Mr.  Taylor  lias   consented  to  drop  his    pro] 

bill,  and  has  promised  me  to  bring  forward  neither  this  nor 

any  measure  affectingthc  Methodists,  without  our  pre\  ions 

knowledge  and  consent.  Mr.  Taylor  needed  only  a 
proper  and  faithful  representation  of  onr  principles  and 

practice  to  induce  him  to  do  this.  His  ideas  of  BJ  were 
founded   on  the   clumsiest  misrepfi  sentation  that   sin  and 

ignorance  could  give  him.     He  is  now  undeceived;  and, 

if  he  be  not  our  hearty  friend,  I  have  gresl  confidence,  he 

will  not  make  himself  the  tool  of  our  enemies.1 " 

May  11th  Mr.  Benson  says  :  "I  heard  Mr.  Dikes,  with 
much  pleasure  and  profit,  discourse  on  James  iii,  2,  '  If 
any  man  offend  not  in  word,  the  same  is  a  perfect  man.' 
He  showed,   1.  That  not  to  offend  in  word,  was  an  evi- 

9* 


202  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

dence  of  great  progress  in  grace.  2.  Pointed  out  the  dif- 
ferent ways  whereby  people  offend  in  word.  And,  3.  Spoke 
of  the  remedies;  viz.,  (1.)  To  get  the  heart  renewed  by 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  because  out  of  the  abun- 
dance of  the  heart  the  mouth  speaketh.  (2.)  To  furnish 
the  mind  with  useful  knowledge,  that  we  may  not  be  at  a 
loss  for  profitable  discourse.  (3.)  Keeping  the  heart 
with  all  diligence,  and  the  mouth  with  a  bridle.  (4.)  To 
examine  every  night  what  our  conversation  has  been 
during  the  day." 

July  3d,  in  company  with  Mr.  Pawson,  Mr.  Benson 
went  to  York,  to  visit  Mr.  Mather,  who  was  near  the  end 
of  his  pilgrimage.  "  I  was  exceedingly  struck,"  says  he, 
"  to  see  him  so  weak  as  not  to  be  able  to  speak  above 
his  breath.  He  seemed  much  concerned  for  the  Metho- 
dist connection  ;  and  said  many  things  to  us  respecting  the 
measures  which  he  thought  ought  to  be  adopted.  Before 
we  left  him,  we  kneeled  down  and  prayed  with  him,  pro- 
bably for  the  last  time,  with  many  tears,  and  recommend- 
ed him  to  God,  scarcely  expecting  to  see  him  again  till 
the  day  of  final  accounts." 

Mr.  Mather  survived  after  this  interview  a  few  weeks 
only.  A  short  account  of  his  peaceful  and  triumphant  end 
cannot  fail  to  interest  the  pious  reader.  "  On  Saturday 
night,  August  16th,  speaking  to  his  much-esteemed 
friend,  Mr.  Robert  Spence,  of  York,  he  said,  '  What  I  told 
you  upon  your  first  visiting  me  after  my  arrival  at  York,  I 
still  feel  to  be  a  truth ;  viz.,  that  I  have  nowhere  to  look, 
nor  any  thing  else  to  depend  upon,  for  salvation,  but 
Christ ;  and  my  confidence  in  him  is  firm  as  a  rock. 
My  faith  has  frequently  been  assaulted,  during  my  afflic- 
tion, in  an  unusual  manner ;  but  it  has  never  shrunk  in  the 
least  degree  :  I  feel  a  blessed  evidence  of  my  acceptance, 
and  a  sacred  sense  of  God's  presence  being  with  me 
always.     How  comfortable  are    these   words,   Him  that 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH   DEN-  203 

<-mi„th   unto  St*,  /   wUl  in   m>   tns>    east  OtU i      Then 

other  Dune,  no  othai  Redeemer:  on  him  my  soul  n 

Mi  no  is  ■  hope  of  more  than  forty  years  :   it  ca 
ken.'' 
"On  Monday,  the  18th,  kx  m  inguieb,  lie 

said,  '  I  long  to  be  gone  :    I  1 

i  prey  for  bit  from   my 

.  1   laid,  that  this  could  onh 

nee:  he  tweedy  and  rerereetly  answered,  •  \\ 'ith  j 
submission  .  e  ith  greet  submission.1    After  pausing  awhile, 
id,  '  I  am  happy  in  but  my  stiff 

;'  and  ad 

I  see. 
And  trie*  of  paradise. 

O  let  me  be  mere  : — I'll  be  there,  there,  there !     0  that  it 
might  !"■  this  night!     <>  hide  me   among   tin 
Here  may  I  have  en  aiming  pis 

Th  be  lambs  of  t'liv  flock, 

Hut  if  I  may  not  have  the  privilege,  the  happiness,  the 
honour,  of  being  with  thee  this  wight,  may  [  h 
to  thy  will.     ()  that  •  v      se  of  ]      se  and  thanksgr 
It  has  been  the  delight  of  my  soul,  my  c}i.' 

earth.      1  have  loved  thy  word,  thy  law.  th\  ind  I 

still  love  them, 

Let  it  not  my  Lord  diapletM 
That  I  would  die 

u  On  Wednesday  morning,  the  20th,  after  a  night  of 
inexpressihle  suffering,  he  was  composed,  and  slumbered 
a  little.  When  lie  awoke  he  seemed  surprised  to  find  him- 
self still  in  the  body,  and  said,  *  Why  did  you  call  me 
back  !  I  have  been  in  paradise.  As  surely  as  I  shall  go 
there  again,  I  have  been  in  heaven  this  morning.'     Then, 


204  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

after  taking  leave  of,  and  giving  his  dying  advice  to,  the 
family,  he  turned  to  Mrs.  Mather,  and  said,  '  As  for  you, 
my  dear,  I  can  say  nothing  to  you  that  I  have  not  already 
said :  but,'  pointing  to  the  Bible,  '  that  book  is  yours,  and 
the  Author  of  it.' 

"  On  Friday,  22d,  about  two  hours  before  his  departure, 
and  nearly  the  last  words  he  uttered,  he  said,  '  I  now 
know,  that  I  have  not  sought  thee  in  vain  :  I  have  not, 
— no,  I  have  not.'  And  then,  '  O  thou  that  causedst  light 
to  shine  out  of  darkness,  shine  upon  my  soul  with  the 
light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Son  of  God.  That  name 
above  every  name  for  ever  dear,  it  dispels  all  my  fears. 
O  proclaim,  proclaim  Jesus  !  Tell  me,  shall  I  be  with 
him  this  night  ?'  On  being  answered,  '  Yes,  there  is  no 
doubt  of  it ;'  he  cried  out,  '  He,  whom  I  have  served  for 
nearly  fifty  years,  will  not  forsake  me  now. — Glory  be  to 
God  and  the  Lamb,  for  ever  and  ever!     Amen,  Amen.5 

"  Soon  after  this  his  voice  failing,  he  spoke  very  little 
audibly ;  but,  by  the  motion  of  his  lips,  appeared  engaged 
in  silent  ejaculations,  till,  seeming  to  fall  into  a  sweet 
slumber,  he  silently  and  almost  imperceptibly  breathed  his 
soul  into  the  arms  of  his  loved  and  adored  Redeemer, 
about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon." 

Mr.  Benson  preached  a  sermon,  on  the  occasion  of  his 
death,  in  Queen-street  and  City-road  chapels,  on  Sunday, 
the  31st  of  August,  1800  ;  and  said  of  him  :  "  No  person 
has  been  more  universally  respected  among  us,  as  an  intel- 
ligent and  judicious  man,  a  pious  and  exemplary  Christian. 
a  sympathizing  and  steady  friend,  and  a  faithful,  diligent 
labourer  in  the  Lord's  vineyard.  What  was  said  of  De- 
metrius, by  St.  John,  was  indeed  very  applicable  to  him : 
*  He  had  a  good  report  of  all  men,  and  of  the  truth  itself.'" 

At  the  conference  this  year,  Mr.  Benson  was  appointed 
the  superintendent  of  the  London  circuit ;  and  in  the  early 
part  of  August  he  removed  to  the  metropolis.     On  this 


LIFE  OF  JO0EFH  205 

occasion,  he  aaya  :   "  I   thank  God,  ha  baa  preserved  my 

wife  and  family,  and  brought  them  all  safe  hither.  My 
wife,  indeed,  is  bol  in  a  poor  state  of  health  ;  hut  the  chil- 
dren are  all  very  vrell.  Thanks  he  to  the  Lord,  for  all  his 
merci' 

The  foUowia  ir<>Mi   Mr  '|  journal, 

written  at  different  times,  during  his  continuance  as  the 
riatendenl  of  the  London  circuit: — 

w  Octobei    ImIi.      Mv    mind    lias    been    kfj»T    in    pi 

although  mv  faith  lias  been  much  tried,  both  through  my 
own  affliction,  ami  through  thai  <»t  my  a 

Speaking  "t   Mr.  Shaw,  of  Tottenham,  In  His 

affliction    is  great   indeed  :    and  so  arc  his  pat  • 

resignation,  of  which  graces  he  ma  bright  example.      May 

the  Lord  prepare  me  for,  and  rapport  me  under,  i 

/ion  of  his  pro\  idence  that  awaits  me." — "'  I  '<  «  ' 
28th.    I   thank  the   Lord,  this  baa  0000  a  <:<><>d  day  to  me, 
and     I     have    been    much   aaaiated    in   my    work.      In   the 

morning,  at  Queen  otreot,  I  explained  and  improved  John 

in,  16,  My  own  mind  wafl  affected,  and  M  were  the 
munis  of  many  of  the  hearers.  In  the  evening,  alao,  1  1  M 
enabled  to  speak  with  much  freedom,  whib  I 
on  1  Kingl  win.  21.  I  was  led  to  speak  much  concern- 
ing the  uncertainty  of  life  |  and  to  express  my  apprehen- 
sions, that  although  we  were  brought  ao  near  the  clone  of 

the  year,  yet  some  of  the  congregation  might  he  called 
from  time  before  the  commencement  of  tin  r." 

It  is  said,  that  a  gentleman,  who  hail  been  skeptical  in 
his  opinions,  was  awakened  under  this  sermon;  and  after 
having  embraced  religion,  he  became  a  highly  respectable 
clergyman,  and  a  distinguished  theological  writer.  The 
following  evening,  Mr.  Benson  had  to  pleach  in  the  same 
chapel  again,  and  was  informed  in  the  vestry,  pretioualy 
to  his  gouag  into  the  pulpit,  that  a  woman  who  had  heard 
him  there  the  night  before,  who  was  in  the  prime  o(  life 


206  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

and  in  perfect  health,  and  had  heard  him  speak  so  point- 
edly on  the  uncertainty  of  life,  had  been  seized  with  a 
violent  complaint  in  the  night,  and  died  about  five  o'clock 
that  morning. 

"  March  8th,  1801.  This  has  been  to  me  a  day  of  hard 
labour.  I  met  classes  from  six  to  eight  o'clock  in  the 
morning.  I  then  attended  the  local  preachers'  meeting 
until  nine.  At  ten,  I  read  prayers  and  preached  at  Spital- 
fields.  At  two,  I  began  again  to  meet  classes,  and  contin- 
ued till  after  five.  At  six,  I  preached  at  City-road  chapel, 
and  continued  till  eight.  The  congregation  was  very  large. 
After  that  service  was  concluded,  I  continued  to  give 
tickets  for  an  hour." 

May  25th  he  preached  in  the  forenoon  in  City-road 
chapel,  to  the  children  of  the  Sunday  schools.  "  I  sup- 
pose," says  he,  "  there  never  was  any  thing  like  so  many 
human  beings  in  the  chapel  before.  It  was  a  most  lovely 
and  affecting  sight.  They  heard,  in  general,  with  great 
attention,  and  sung  most  sweetly.  I  preached  on  1  Chron. 
xxviii,  9.  I  bless  the  Lord,  I  was  enabled,  I  hope,  to  speak 
in  a  manner  intelligible  and  forcible  ;  and  I  trust  that  much 
good  will  arise  from  the  opportunity." 

Leeds,  August  2d,  Mr.  Benson  says :  "  At  the  request 
of  Mr.  Pawson,  I  have  taken  his  place  this  evening,  and 
preached  before  the  conference,  on  the  occasion  of  the 
admission  of  the  young  preachers.  The  subject  I  spoke 
on  was  Eph.  iii,  8.  The  chapel  was  so  prodigiously 
crowded,  that  there  was  no  possibility  of  getting  in  or  out, 
or  of  making  the  collection  for  the  expenses  of  the  con- 
ference in  the  seats.  Indeed,  there  were  several  thousands 
who  could  not  get  in  ;  so  that  there  were  four  different 
preachers  appointed  to  preach  without,  while  I  was 
preaching  in,  the  chapel.  I  thank  the  Lord,  I  was 
favoured  with  a  peculiar  freedom  in  preaching;  and  I 
believe  it  was  a  profitable  time  to  many." 


I. in  BPH  i:r:\>"\  207 

"October  19th.    Last  night,  in  preaching,  I  Wat  led  to 

•peak   much  concerning  the  shortnOM   and  uncertainty  of 

life,  and  tin-  necessity  of  complying  immediately  with  the 

call  of  God  :  ami  the  doctrine  reccm  d  an  awful  continua- 
tion in  tin-  Hidden  death  <>i  Mr.  W .     II.-  irat  at  the 

chapel  here  in  the  morning  in  his  usual  health,     [ndeed, 
amed  uncommonly  well  and  in  good  \ 1 1 « •  r 

service  MTU  o\.-r.   In-    went  to  dine  with  a    friend  at  \\  ap- 

ping,  in  company  with  \h.  Whitehead,  where  he  tpent 
tin-  afternoon.  He  beard  the  doctor  preach  in  the  i 
ing,  and  stayed  while  he  met  th<  aociety.  And  it  was 
oboorred  by  aome,  thai  be  rang  with  aO  his  might  He 
afterward  walked  up  the  street  with  the  doctor,  apparently 
in  perfect  health,  only  complaining  of  being  rather  wi 
n  they  went  through  WeUcloee-equare.  He  called  at  Dr. 
Whitehead's  bouse  ;  and  obaen  ini_r  that  he  perspired  pro- 
fanely, the  doctor  ordered  the  servant  to  bring  linn  a  little 

nun  and  water;  bat  before  she  came  with  it,  he  expired, 

and  would  have  fallen  oil' the  chair,  had  not  the  doctor  held 
him  up.      1  endeavoured.""    >a\^    Mr.   Benaon,  "to  improve 

the  awful  erent  to-night,  at  Wapping,  by  exhorting  the 

congregation,  from  Matthew  wiv.    1 1.  to  !><•  read] 
cauae  in  such  an  hour  as  men  think  not,  tin-  Son  of  man 

cometh." 

••  February  19th,  ISO'J.     I  have  rend  with  attention  and 
profit  Macknudit's  translation,  paraphrase,  and   no*, 
the  first   Epistle  to  the  Theaenloniam  :    and  1  think  he  lias 

cast  much  light  on  the  epistle,  nnd  improved  the  transla- 
tion of  many  passages  ;  hut  cannot  suppose  that  the  apos- 
tle had  in  new  to  interweave  with  his  epistle,  and  set  in 
view  before  his  readers,  all  the  principal  arguments  in 
favour  of  the  truth  of  Christianity.  tad,  especially,  I  can- 
not approve  of  his  new  nf  the  day  of  judgment,  and  the 
future  misery  of  the  wicked  ;  namely,  that  no  particular 
inquiry  will  he  made  into  men's  actions,  but  that  the  form 


208  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  every  man's  body  will  fully  manifest  his  state  and  cha- 
racter ;  and  that  the  bodies  of  the  wicked  will  be  raised 
corruptible,  and  will  be  consumed  in  the  general  confla- 
gration. 

"  April  12th.  This  evening,  while  I  was  praying  before 
sermon,  at  Queen-street  chapel,  Mr.  Folgham  was  sud- 
denly taken  ill  in  the  front  of  the  gallery,  and,  after  groan- 
ing most  awfully  for  a  few  minutes,  expired  on  the  spot. 
Some  of  the  friends  bore  him  down  into  the  vestry,  where 
I  found  him  on  the  table,  on  his  back,  much  altered,  when 
the  service  was  over.  It  was  an  awful  and  affecting 
scene  to  those  who  were  present. — May  30th.  My  time 
has  been  fully  employed  to-day.  From  six  to  eight,  I  met 
classes.  I  then  met  the  local  preachers.  I  afterward 
walked  through  the  rain  to  Snowsfields,  and,  after  reading 
prayers,  preached  at  half  past  ten.  Immediately  after 
dinner  I  returned  to  City-road  chapel,  where  I  was  em- 
ployed in  meeting  classes  till  five  o'clock.  At  six  I 
preached  on  occasion  of  the  Rev.  Peard  Dickinson's  death, 
from  Jeremiah  xiv,  8 ;  a  text  chosen  by  himself.  The 
congregation  was  large ;  and  the  account  I  had  collected 
of  his  life  and  death  was,  I  trust,  edifying  to  the  hearers. 
Mr.  Dickinson  was  for  two  years  the  curate  of  that  vener- 
able man,  the  Rev.  Vincent  Perronet,  of  Shoreham,  whose 
daughter  he  afterward  married.  Upon  the  Rev.  John 
Wesley's  invitation,  he  removed  to  London,  where  he  ex- 
ercised his  ministry  with  zeal  and  diligence,  till,  through 
indisposition  of  body,  he  was  obliged  to  desist  from  a  call- 
ing, which,  above  all  others,  he  loved,  and  in  which  his 
whole  heart  was  engaged.  His  discourses  with  his  friends 
that  from  time  to  time  visited  him  in  his  last  illness  were 
most  intelligent  and  instructive  :  and  after  the  most  affec- 
tionate  expressions  of  love  and  consolation  to  his  mourn- 
ful partner,  and  other  relatives  and  friends,  in  the  greatest 
peace,  and  most  triumphant  joy,  he  sweetly  slept  in  Jesus, 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  209 

on  Saturday,  May  loth,  in  tin-  forty-fourth  year  of  bii 
His  last  words  irere,  '  Hark  '  <1<»  you  not  beat !   Thi 
<-..m-   fur  me!    I  am  ready, — <iuit«-  ready.     Stop;  say  no- 
thing but,  Glory, — glory  !'    Such  \  .  nay, 
triumphant  end  of  Peard   Dickinaon; — s  name  not  much 
known  among  men  ;  but  "'in-  which,  in  the  great  d 
accounts,  will  be  found  t<>  occupy  ■  place  among 
who  '  shall  shine  as  tin 

Norember  6th  Mr    I U  .  part 

of  tin  or  tour  lastdaya  in  reading  Simpa 

for  Religion,'  published  since  bis  death.     It  contains  nun  U 

information  ..n  fshoUfl  subjects,  and   IS,   I   L  UUSted 

t«»  do  good;  but  in  (brers  parti  of  tl  lively 

i  upon  the  clergy,  that  i  fear  it  will  prejudice  many 
of  them,  and  of  th<  of  the  established  Church, 

sgainsl  vital  religion,  which   is  now   anireraally  termed 
Methodism."* 

January  Let,  1603, Mr.  Bern  mercifully 

spared  and  preserved  to  see  the  beginning  of  this  year,  say 
mind  lias  been  bumbled  undei  of  my  naworthineea, 

and  of  God's  goodness,  and,  I  hope,  sincerely  thankful  for 
the  Lord's  mercies.    1  hi  ivoured  to  derot 

afresh  to  I  ad  trust  it  will  continue  n>  I 

riilin l;  desire  to  lire  to  Ins  |>rais»-  and  glory.     May  the 
Lord  help  me  bj  Ins  powerful  and  att-eufficienl  i:ra. 

Tin'  nigh  estimation  in  which  Mr.  Benson  was  held  by 
the  Methodists  in  London,  appears  i>y  the  nresunetaiiee 
that  the  June  quarterly  inn n ling  resolved  unanimously  to 

•  No  pi  i*.  liisgof  <>f  inert  n  Jraady 

as  deep  and  struii  mid  well  be.  id   the  moral 

courage  to  expose   the  ^ro>s  corruptions  of  the   English  clerj 
openly  to  rebuke  their  abominable  simony,  ucentioosnese,  and  infideli- 
ty.    The  church  is  under  a  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  pious  and  learned 
author  of  the  M  Plea  for  Religion,*1  for  such  a  commentary  on  the  Eng- 
lish hierarchy  as  sets  it  in  its  true  light. — Am.  Ed. 


210  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

petition  conference  to  appoint  him  a  fourth  year  for  their 
circuit.     The  petition  is  as  follows  : — 

"  To  the  Methodist  Conference. 

"  Honoured  Fathers  and  Brethren, — Permit  us, 
the  stewards  and  leaders  of  the  London  society,  to  express 
our  unanimous  desire,  that  our  highly-esteemed  and  much- 
respected  minister,  Mr.  Benson,  may  be  continued  with  us 
another  year ;  which,  we  conceive,  he  may  be  permitted 
to  do,  in  consistency  with  the  rules  of  the  conference  ;  if 
in  no  other  character,  yet  as  a  supernumerary  preacher. 

"  Our  reasons  for  doing  this  are,  that  Mr.  Benson  has 
had  peculiar  influence  in  raising  all  our  different  branches 
of  finance  to  a  state  they  never  equalled  before ;  especi- 
ally those  of  the  Benevolent  or  Strangers'  Friend  Society, 
and  the  Sunday  schools  ;  which  the  conference  will  allow 
to  be  of  great  importance  in  a  national  point  of  view.  And 
as  these  are  but  in  their  infancy,  Mr.  Benson's  presence 
another  year  seems  to  be  of  great  conseqi^nce  for  their 
extension  and  establishment. 

"  It  also  appears  to  be  the  general  wish  of  the  people 
throughout  the  circuit  that  he  should  stay  ;  and  as  our  con- 
gregations are  considerably  increased,  we  hope  that  his 
labours  for  another  year  will  be  attended  with  much  good. 
And,  further,  the  state  of  public  affairs  is  so  critical,  that 
it  may,  perhaps,  be  necessary  to  publish  to  the  world  our 
sentiments  and  views  ;  and,  in  that  case,  we  think  your 
permitting  Mr.  Benson  to  remain  in  London  is  a  very  de- 
sirable measure.  We  humbly  presume,  these  considera- 
tions will  induce  conference  to  accede  to  our  request. 

"  Our  prayer  to  God  is,  that  your  plans  may  be  laid  in 
wisdom,  and  tend  to  the  furtherance  of  Christ's  kingdom. 

"  Signed  by  desire  and  on  behalf  of  the  quarterly  meet- 
ing, William  Jerram  " 

"June  30th,  1803." 


LIFi:  Ofr  JOSEPH  BENfi  211 

Hut  how<  reus  the  Lou. Ion  Methodists  were  to 

retain  Mr.  Benson  unong  them, the  conference,  con-' 
with  its  own  rales,  could  not  sppoinl  him  a  fonrth  year  in 
succession  to  the  same  circuit ;  nor  coold  they  think  of 
making  liim  a  supernumerary,  seeing  he  was  yet 
and  able  and  trilling  to  labom  ;  bi 

ed  for  our  Magazine,  and  one  qualified  to  take  the  general 
superintendence  of  our  hook  concerns,  Mr.   Benson  was 

Unanimously   roted  to  fill   that   important  office, — an   i 

winch  he  continued  to  sustain  with  credit  to  himself,  and 
hcnrii;  to  the  connection,  during  the  remainder  of  hi-  life. 
Hut.  though  he  was  not  called  upon  to  preach  as  frequently 
on  the  week-days  as  he  had  been  accustomed  to  do,  when 

he  superintended  the  all'air-  of  1  circuit,  J  el  in  I 

he  knew    no  The  metropolis 

afforded  him  a  wide  field  for  hi-  labours  ;  and 

will   know  n  and  BO  highly  •  - 

nectioo,  he  had  many  pressing  invitations  to  visit  d 
places  to  open  new  chapels,  or  to  preach  anniversary 
mons  on  behalf  of  benevolent  institutions. 

August  28th,  1603,  he  preached  in  City-road  chapel  for 
the  benefit  of  the  Sunday  schools.  "  My  mind."  says  he, 
-  much  enlarged  in  speaking;  and  I  hope  many  felt 
the  power  of  the  word."  In  the  evening  of  that  day.  he 
preached  in  Snowsfields,  from  Rev.  ex,  l'J:  but  not  hav- 
ing as  much  liberty  as  he  had  on  many  former  • 
lie  observes:  "I  am  taught  my  dependence  upon  God  for 
every  thin-.;.     I  >»■»■  1  am  not  sufficient  of  myself  to  think 

any  thing  as  of  m\  self." 

September  4th,  after  preaching  at  Lambeth,  from  Titus 
iii.  :i-7.  he  gave  the  congregation  an  infc treating  account 

of  the  conversion   and   happy  death  of  Mr-.  Booth,  OftCe  I 

noted  actress,  of  great  comic  powers  and  popularity.    One 

night,  after  her  return  from  the  theatre,  the  house  in  which 
she  lodged  took  tire,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that 


212  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

she  made  her  escape  from  the  flames.  Her  exertion 
on  the  occasion,  joined  to  the  agitation  of  her  mind, 
brought  on  a  fever,  during  the  continuance  of  which  she 
was  deeply  convinced  that  she  was  destitute  of  religion, 
and  that  her  mode  of  life  was  inconsistent  with  its  princi- 
ples and  practice.  And,  on  her  restoration  to  health,  she 
abandoned  the  stage  altogether,  and  sought  rest  for  her 
soul  in  the  reformation  of  her  conduct ;  but  nothing  that 
she  did  afforded  her  the  least  degree  of  consolation.  In 
a  village  to  which  she  retired,  a  Sunday  school  was  esta- 
blished :  here  she  occasionally  heard  some  of  the  teachers 
give  a  word  of  exhortation  to  the  children ;  and  through 
the  instrumentality  of  these  pious  men,  she  soon  discover- 
ed the  way  of  salvation.  She  became  a  teacher  of  the 
poor  children  at  the  school  in  question  ;  and  was  grateful 
to  God  for  so  subduing  her  proud  heart  as  to  be  made  will- 
ing, in  so  humble  a  sphere,  to  make  some  good  use  of  the 
talents  which  she  had  previously  so  much  abused. 

She  joined  the  Methodist  society ;  and  was  soon  en- 
abled to  believe  with  her  heart  unto  righteousness,  and  to 
rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory.  For  some 
days  previous  to  her  dissolution,  death  and  glory  were  the 
familiar  and  delightful  subjects  of  her  conversation ;  and 
she  evidently  desired  to  depart  and  to  be  with  Christ. 
She  had  a  presentiment  that  her  death  would  be  sudden ; 
and  she  prepared  the  mind  of  her  daughter,  with  whom 
she  resided,  for  the  solemn  event.  On  the  Thursday  even- 
ing she  attended  the  preaching  ;  and  on  the  Sunday  follow- 
ing she  finished  her  course  with  joy.  "  The  congrega- 
tion," says  Mr.  Benson,  "  was  greatly  affected  while  I  was 
speaking  of  her  ;  and  especially,  while  I  was  endeavouring 
to  improve  an  awful  providence,  which  happened  within  a 
few  yards  of  the  chapel  the  other  night :  this  was  a  terri- 
ble fire  which  broke  out  in  Astley's  amphitheatre,  which 
consumed  the  whole,  and  about  twenty  houses  besides." 


LIFE  OV  JOSEPH  213 

One  lady  perished  in  the  ismos      A  huhlsf  wn^  mil 

the  window  where  tUeetillg  something 

which  she  wished  fa  i  beck,  and  when  mean- 

ing, the  floor  I  Ml  fall  with  it. 

In  the  course  oftbis  year  Mr.  !>•  in  prcenus- 

ed  to  take  up  hii  pen  in  defiance  oi  Mstlsiilisai    J>r.  i  : 
an  Irish  clergyman,  bad  published  a  p unphfc  t,  untitled 
"  Methodism  Inspected,''  in  which  he  strove  to  hold  up  the 

doctrines   and   discipline   of  tin-    Methodist!  to   contempt  ; 

and  In-  especially  lavished  Ins  censures  on  our  ansa 
ri»s  m  beland,  i«»r  the  measures  they  adopted  m  apeeaeV 
ing  religion  among  the  Papists  in  thai  country.     It  is  act 
prohahlc   that    Mr.   Benson   would  have   svei   teen  this 

pamphlet,  or.  if  he  had,  that  In-  would    have  denned  it  his 
duty  to  take  any  public  notice  of  it.  had  it  i  t\our- 

ahly  renewed  iath<  bristisn  Obeerver.w 

Knowing  the  extensive  circulation  of  thai  periodical,  and 

fearing,   that    by    its    misrepresentations,    the    prisons    hy 
whom  it  was  read  would  nnhihe    notions  and   receive    nn- 

lions  concerning  Methodism  which  hi  'nida- 

tion in  truth,  .Mr.  Benson  published  a  pamphlet  of  ei<_rhtv 
b,  octavo,  which  he  rather  quaintly  untitled  ••  The  hi- 
nt of  Methodism  Inspected,  and  the  Christiso 

Observed ."  This  pamphlet  had  hut  a  hunted  cir- 
culation, and  is  by  the  present  race  of  Methodists  almost 
wholly  unknown. 

December  ;;ist  Mr.  Benson   writee:    "Upon  looking 

hack  <m  the  event!    and  providential   i  QUI  of  the 

year,  and  on  my  man\  >ins  and  failings,  1  find  i 

cause  to  he  hoth  hiuuhle   and  thankful.      ()  that   I   mav  he 

enabled  to  devote  myself  more  folly  to  the  Lord  and  his 
Ben  n-e  than  i  ret  I  have  don* 

"January    1  st.   L804.    In  the    morning,  at   Spitaltiel 
discoursed,    with   much    liberty,   on  Psalm  xc.    13.     The 
congregation  was  affected,  and  I  was  so  myself.     In  the 


214  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

afternoon  we  had  a  very  solemn  time  in  renewing  our 
covenant  with  God.  I  found  my  mind  under  a  sweet  in- 
fluence of  grace  ;  and  many  seemed  to  partake  of  the  same 
blessed  unction.  In  the  evening  at  six  I  preached  again 
at  Spitalfields,  and  was  favoured  with  much  liberty  while 
I  explained  and  applied  Romans  xiii,  11. 

"  January  29th.  I  have  employed  some  time  this  week 
in  perusing  Drew's  work  upon  the  soul.  The  reasoning 
is  close,  and  in  general  apparently  conclusive ;  but  two 
great  difficulties  stand  in  the  way:  1st.  Have  we  not  our 
souls  by  traduction  ?  and  if  so,  are  they  necessarily  imma- 
terial and  immortal,  and  incapable  of  dying  1  Does  not 
their  immortality  depend  on  the  sovereign  will  and  pleasure 
of  God  ?  2d.  Have  not  the  brutes  perception,  memory,  a 
will  and  passions  ?  Have  they,  therefore,  in  them  an  im- 
material and  immortal  spirit  ?  The  declarations  of  Scrip- 
ture are  of  more  weight  with  me  than  any  philosophical 
or  abstract  reasoning  I  ever  saw  on  the  subject.* 

"  March  4th.  In  the  evening,  wet  as  it  was,  the  con- 
gregation was  crowded  at  the  City-road  chapel,  to  hear 
Dr.  Whitehead's  funeral  sermon ;  and  I  was  enabled  to 
speak  with  clearness,  and,  I  hope,  with  some  good  effect, 

*  The  speculations  of  Mr.  Drew,  though  very  ingenious,  are  not  well 
based.  His  fundamental  principles  in  general  are  mere  assumptions, 
which  may  be  either  true  or  false,  but  are  neither  self-evident  nor  capable 
of  demonstration.  But  Mr.  Benson's  objections  to  Mr.  Drew's  theory  are 
not  themselves  so  free  from  mist  as  could  be  desired.  Whether  "  we 
have  our  souls  by  traduction"  or  otherwise,  who  knows  1  They  are 
doubtless  "  necessarily  immaterial,"  are  certainly  "  immortal,"  and 
"  their  immortality  depends  on  the  sovereign  will  and  pleasure  of  God ;" 
still  may  not  the  soul's  immortality  be  made,  by  this  very  "  sovereign 
will  and  pleasure,"  to  depend  immediately  upon  its  peculiar  constitution  1 
This,  for  aught  we  can  see,  maybe  so.  Yet  the  fact  that  the  soul  will 
survive  the  body,  and  have  a  conscious  existence  for  ever,  must  rest 
upon  divine  revelation,  for  here  only  does  the  evidence  amount  to  ab- 
solute certaintv. — Am.  Ed. 


Ul  I  01  K)»  215 

from  2  Tor.  v.  B.      I  thei  pretty  1  i 

the  doctor's   life   and  character.      I    added,   from   my  own 

knowledge  ol  bin,  ■  short  account  of  his  ohan 

man — a  scholar — a  divin* — B  —a  friend — a  mOIH 

•  ■tv — and  a  <  hristian.      I  tru>t  thu 
and  account    delivered    gave    satisfaction    to  tin-  numerous 
auditory.      They  heard  with  deep  attention,  and  | 

ith  ;    and  1  hope  that  the  word  tpoket)  had  its  <!• 
effect    upon   many. —  May   3d.     \    my    unfair 
ArniinianiMU    having    heen    insetted    m    the    Evangelical 

Magazine  tor  May.  I  ihii  da}  wrote  to  dH  oi  that 

publication,  and  lonl  him  l«»r  insertion  a  very  different,  and, 

I   think,   a   very  just  account  ,,|    that  doctrine,  taken 

Gerard  Brandt's  'History  oi  the  Synod  «»t  D<>r:.'     i 

told  lmn  that    1    should  DC   \ery  SOTTV  V 

ical   publi- 
cations, tie-    K\  aiiL"  Ileal   and    Methodist    M  made 

vehicles  of  strife  and  contention ;  hut  that  it'  such  articles 
are  inserted  m  tin-  Evangelical  Magazine,  a^  ths 
faned  to,  contra  inevitable,  as  are  neither  d  - 

the  goodness  ol'  our  cause,  nor  fear  the  waul  of  materials 

for  its  defend 

••  \  ;.  A  person  from  the circuit  having 

he.  n  recommended  as  a  missionary,  and  sppointed  for 
Nova-S  of  on,  irith  Dr.  (  lined  him 

this  morning,  respect  m:  lus  knowledge  of  divine  things, 
and  in  the  evening  Dr.  Coke,  Mr.  Taylor,  and  I.  beard 

him  preach  at  SnOWSnei  I    all  thoroughly 

satisfied   that  he  is  utterly  unfit  to  he  sent  out  at  pit 
We  have,  therefore,  concluded  to  send  him  home  again,  to 
stay  till  he  shall  gain  more  knowledge  oi   v.  -:iould 

teach  Others  ;  and  till  his  gift  for  speaking  in  public  he  a 
little  more  Unproved.  1  am  very  thankful  that  I  have  got 
this  accomplished." 

December  15th  Mr.  Benson  paid  a  visit  to  Nottingham, 


216  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  reopen  a  chapel  which  had  been  considerably  enlarged. 
"  I  pray  God,"  says  he,  "  that  my  coming  may  be  attended 
with  a  blessing ;  and  that  I  may  have  no  cause  to  lament 
that  I  have  run  in  vain.  I  thank  God,  that  I  was  much 
assisted  in  preaching  both  times  ;  but  especially  in  the 
morning,  when  the  congregation  in  general  were  much 
impressed."  He  preached  again  at  Nottingham,  Decem- 
ber 25th,  from  1  Tim.  i,  15,  with  much  enlargement  of 
heart  and  liberty  of  expression.  During  the  service  many 
were  much  affected  ;  and  one  man,  who  cried  out  in  deep 
distress,  professed  to  have  received  the  remission  of  his 
sins  before  he  left  the  chapel.  From  Nottingham  he  visit- 
ed and  preached  at  Bingham,  Newark,  and  Grantham,  to 
large  congregations  ;  and  though  the  weather  was  intensely 
cold,  and  the  ground  covered  thick  with  snow,  yet  many 
came  ten,  twelve,  and  even  fourteen  miles  to  hear  him, 
and  had  to  return  home  after  preaching. 

January  1st,  1805,  he  returned  to  London;  and  spent 
the  early  part  of  that  month  in  providing  and  correcting 
materials  for  the  March  and  April  Magazines,  and  correct- 
ing the  press  for  other  works.  "  I  have  enjoyed,"  says 
he,  "  peace  and  comfort,  and  it  has  been  my  earnest  desire 
to  begin  this  year  with  God,  as  I  have  endeavoured  to 
begin  many. 

"  January  24th,  being  in  Canterbury,"  he  observes,  "  I 
walked  to  the  cathedral,  wrhere  I  found  a  most  miserable 
reader  of  prayers,  and  a  few  wicked  boys  in  surplices, 
employed  occasionally  in  what  is  termed  chanting,  pro- 
faning in  a  most  shocking  manner  the  worship  of  God. 
However,  the  congregation  was  not  large  to  receive  any 
harm  thereby.  One  old  man  and  one  old  woman  were  all 
I  saw,  save  the  few  friends  that  went  with  me.  I  was 
surprised  to  find  this  cathedral,  belonging  to  the  see  of 
Canterbury,  the  metropolitan  of  all  England,  so  much  infe- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  .  217 

rior  not  only  to  York  minster,  but  even  to  those  of  Bever- 
.  1  Lincoln,  in  beauty  and  symmetry." 

This  year  hi  -  held 

for  the  first  time  in  Sheffield.     At  the  request  of  the  lead* 

1.  both  in  the  morning 
erening  of  July  21st,  in  their  new  chapel  in  Carver-el 
to  crowded  co  el,  he 

••  I  think  it  is  the  beat  contrived  in  die  Methodist 
connection;   and,  except  the    City-road   chapel,  and  the 
Oldham-street  chapel,  it  is  the  la. 
1  trual  the  •  n  ction  of  it  will  be  with  s  bl 

to  many  souls."    July  22d  be  preached  in  Norfolk-* 
chapel,  on  Luki  bow  ye  hear."     Ha 

chose  ibis  subject  l«>r  the  par]  whom 

Lth  profit  the  many  serflSJHM  which 

would  be  preached  t < >  them  during  the  confers  i 

On  the  erening  of  August  9th  the  cooien  luded 

ttings,  in  peace  and  barmon)  ;  and  on  the  11th  Mr. 
Benson  pr«  ached  in  the  afternoon  and  evening  at  Chi 
field;  and  on  the  evening  of  the  following 
ham.     He  observes,  ••  1  was  mud  lining 

and    enforcing,    ' -s«>   run    that    ye  may  obtain.'"      On    the 
15th  he  arrived  in  London,  after  '•  Hi  from  i:   . 

a  month. — "  September  20th.  Judging,"  be  observes,  ••  that 
practical  religion  is  too  little  regarded  by  many  of  thi 
gregation,  and  even  of  the  society,  I  enforced  at  City-road 
chapel,   '  Why  call  ye  me,  Lord.  Lord,  and  do  not  the 

things  that  I  §aj  ' '*  He  then  adds:  ••  My  heart  was  en- 
I.  and  my  mouth  opened  ;  and  I  was  enabled  to  speak 
strong  words,  perhaps  stronger  man  some  could  bear. 
Hut  surely  there  is  much  cause  for  plain  dealing."  1  '•■- 
comber  22d  his  subject  was  our  Lord's  transfiguration : 

during  the  delivery  of  the  discourse,  he  remarks.  M  ■  mani- 
festly divine  influence  attended  the  word  spoken  ;  and  I 

10 


218  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

trust  some  will  show  by  their  conduct,  that  it  was  not 
spoken  in  vain."  At  Queen-street,  in  the  evening,  he 
preached  a  sermon  to  a  very  crowded  congregation  for  the 
benefit  of  the  Sunday  schools. 

January  2d,  1806,  he  wTites  :  "  Reflecting,  of  late,  on 
the  many  mercies  of  the  last  year,  particularly  in  the  res- 
toration of  my  son  John  to  health,  who,  in  the  beginning 
of  the  year,  was  much  afflicted,  and  in  the  preservation 
and  partial  restoration  of  my  wife  ;  I  see  that  I  have 
infinite  reason  to  thank  God  for  these  and  all  his  other 
mercies  ;  and  I  have  endeavoured  to  give  myself  up  anew 
to  his  service.  I  bless  his  holy  name,  I  find  it  in  some 
measure  my  meat  and  drink  to  do  his  will :  and  I  trust  I 
shall  be  enabled  to  live  this  year  more  than  ever  to  his 
glory."  Under  date  of  January  25th,  the  following  para- 
graph occurs  in  his  journal  : — "  On  Thursday  last  wTe 
received  intelligence  of  the  death  of  that  eminent  states- 
man, Mr.  Pitt.  In  one  respect  his  sun  has  gone  down  in 
a  cloud.  The  amazing  success  of  Buonaparte  against 
Austria  and  the  Russians,  and  the  terrible  disasters  the 
allies  have  suffered,  show  that  he  pursued  a  wrong  plan 
for  the  country,  and  for  all  Europe,  in  rekindling  this  war 
on  the  continent,  and  urging  the  emperor  of  Germany, 
and  the  emperor  of  Russia,  to  come  forward  at  this  time 
to  oppose  the  French.  However,  God  is  accomplishing 
his  own  designs,  and  by  the  clashing  and  contending  in- 
terests and  passions  of  men,  is  overthrowing  the  man  of 
sin."  Mr.  Benson  was  not  singular  in  his  opinion  on  this 
subject.  Many  pious  people  thought  that  by  the  French 
revolution,  and  the  subsequent  events  to  which  it  gave 
birth,  Popery  had  received  such  a  wound  as  would  never 
be  healed  ;  that  the  infidel  and  political  frenzy,  which  like 
a  desolating  scourge  had  overrun  the  French  nation,  had 
swept  awTay  all  their  superstitions  ;  and  that  a  way  was 
thus  prepared  for  the  diffusion  of  evangelical  and  unadul- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  -19 

terated  truth  through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  laud. 
But  there  is  nothing,  in  the  pi  of  affairs  i 

at  home  or  abroad,  that  can  warrant  us  to  conclude  that 
Popery  is  lest  preralent  in  its  influence,  orient  miscbier- 
ous  in  its  effects,  than  it  wai  »:  on  the  con- 

trary, uerer  were  the  emissaru  b  of  Rome  more  assiduous 
in  seeking  to  impose  on  the  credulity  of  mankind  by  their 
**  lying  wonders"  than  they  ire  at  pn  sent.     Tin  y  con 

■ea  and  land  to  make  pn  to  their  absurd  and  impi- 

ous superstitions.  How  long  the  mystery  of  iniquity  will 
continue  to  worn.  <»r  the  mother  of  barlott  red  to 

make  the  earth  drunk  with  her  abominations,  is  known  only 

to  Him  who  sittrth  above  the  water-Moods,  and  n-maineth 
King  tor  ever.      The  obvious  duty  of  all  Protestant  Chris- 

tians  binds  them  to  support,  to  th<  of  their  ability, 

those  institution-  which  bare  for  their  object  the  diffusion 

of  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  as  it  is  m  Jesus.  The  Bible 
is  the  religion  of  PlOtesUUBtfl  ;  and.  proportionally  as 
Scriptural  truth  prevails,  infidel  and  Papist  -   will 

vanish  u  the  illusions  of  night  are  dissipated  by  the  bright 
shining  of  the  sun. 

Hut  to  return  to  Mr.  Benson.  March  11th  he  - 
••  N  esterday  we  learned  that  Mr.  Paw  son  departed  this  life, 
on  Wednesday  his!,  at  Wakefield,  taridsl  his  yen. 
and  complicated  afflictions,  he  was  enabled  to  triumph  con- 
tinually in  the  hop  rious  immortality  He  has, 
indeed,  left  a  blessed  testimony  behind  him.  May  we 
follow  him  as  lie  followed  Christ."  May  1 1  til  Mr.  Hen- 
son  preached  a  sermon  in  the  morning  at  the  City-road 
chapel,  and  in  the  evening  at  Queen-etreel  chapel,  in  aid 
oi  a  society,  established  in  Condon  in  the  year  1785,  for 
the  support  and  encouragement  of  Sunday  schools,  in  the 

differem  counties  of  England  and  Wales.     M  since  their 

establishment,"  he  says,  "  they  had  assisted  with  books,  or 
money,  two  thousand  rive  hundred  and  forty-two  schools, 


220  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

at  which  had  been  educated  two  hundred  and  twenty-six 
thousand  nine  hundred  and  forty-five  scholars.  They  had 
given  away  two  hundred  and  nineteen  thousand  four  hun- 
dred and  ten  spelling-books ;  fifty  thousand  one  hundred 
and  twenty-six  Testaments,  and  seven  thousand  two  hun- 
dred and  thirteen  Bibles ;  and  to  such  schools  as  stood  in 
need  of  pecuniary  assistance,  the  sum  of  four  thousand 
one  hundred  and  forty-seven  pounds,  eight  shillings,  and 
five  pence." — May  18th  he  preached  again  at  Queen-street 
chapel ;  when  he  observes,  "  I  lifted  up  my  heart  to  God, 
and  he  graciously  assisted  me ;  and  I  was  peculiarly 
aided  in  discoursing  on  1  Peter  i,  6,  7."  Of  his  discourse 
he  gives  the  following  outlines: — "(1.)  The  reasons 
which  the  people  of  God  have  to  rejoice.  (2.)  The  rea- 
sons they  have  for  sorrow.  (3.)  That  the  reasons  they 
have  to  rejoice  far  overbalance  the  other  ;  and  that  the 
reasons  they  have  for  sorrowing,  when  properly  understood 
and  improved,  become  even  reasons  for  joy."  After 
preaching  he  met  the  society,  when  he  says :  "I  gave 
them  an  account  of  Mr.  Edward  Jackson,  who  died  about 
ten  days  ago,  unexpectedly,  but  in  great  peace  and  triumph, 
at  Burslem.  I  knew  him  about  thirty-four  years,  and  have 
reason  to  believe  he  was  an  '  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom 
there  was  no  guile.'  He  heard  brother  W.  E.  Miller 
preach  on  the  Monday  evening.  On  Tuesday  morning, 
being  very  ill,  he  sent  for  him,  and  said,  '  Brother  Miller, 
you  have  sometimes  expressed  some  fears  respecting  the 
pain  of  dying;  but,  O  fear  not!  trust  in  God!  he  can 
support,  he  does  support.     Glory!    glory  be  to  his  holy 


name 


i"' 


June  1st  he  preached  twice  at  Lambeth,  and  gave  tick- 
ets to  upward  of  two  hundred  members  of  the  society ; 
when  he  says  :  "I  bless  God,  however,  I  was  not  at  all 
weary.  0  that  I  could  continue  to  use  the  health  the 
Lord  gives  me,  more  and  more  to  his  glory  !    The  congre- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BKN8 

gation  waa  much  crowded  at  botli  tunes  ;  and,  I  thank  the 
Lord,  I  w;<-  enabled  to  apeak  with  a  measure  of  lib 
— Jane  15th  he  pr<  mmon  at  City-road  « 

from  \(cv.  ii,  9,  on  occaaion  of  the  d.  ath  of  Mr.  Ruth 

■■  Hi-  •!;.  ■!.'"  says  Mr.  Benson,  --  ta  he  lived,  in  the  Lord; 

and  testified  that  he   found  the  doctrine  he  had 

anfficienl  to  aupport  him  in  a  dying  hour." 

In  July  he  arenl  to  I  attend  th< 

Mrs.  Benson  accompanied  nun  to  that  town.     ( ha  hia 
he  preached  at  Nottingham  and  Sheffield.     At  Bramley, 
on  the  Djorning  of  July  27th,  tin*  congregation  waa  much 

impressed    while   he    explained    and    applied   th< 

which  contains  the  account  of  our  Lord's  transfiguration. 
In  the  evening  he  preached  at  Bradford. 
course  of  people,  on  the  subject  of  the  new  birth. 

bad,"  aaya  he,  "  a  most  attentive  congr<  nd  a  com- 

fortable opportunity ."     A t  tL:  nee  Dr.  Clark' 

u    president  ;     and    I  )r.   ( 'ok-  .  . ry .      It     I 

from  July  29th  until  August  9th.     Gn  and  una- 

nimity prevailed  during  the  whole  ;  and  the 

preachers  departed  to  their  aeveral   appointments 
mined  to  spend  and  to  be  spent  foe  them  "who  had  not 

yet    their    Saviour    known.'*  l<>ih    Mr.     !'• 

preached  three  times,  in  York,  with  much  comfort.      In  the 

evening  he  was,  to  use  his  own  woi  isted  ; 

when  the  chapel  w;is  much  crowded,  and  the  whole  con- 
gregation exceedingly  atteutii  i  ust  1 1th  he  preached 
at  Pontetract ;  and  the  oext  day.  at  Mrs.  Bensou'e  parti- 
cular  request,  he  went  to  Knottingry,  h»  r 

Here  inch  crowds  flocked  to  attend  his  word,  that  many 

could  not  get  nigh  the  door  of  the  chapel.     He  preached 

with  unusual  liberty  ;  and  says,  li  I  hope  the  word  will  not 
fall  to  the  ground." 

AugUSl    1  lth,    having  spent   some   time   at    Newark    in 
viewing    a    steam-engine    and  the    machinery  of  a  linen 


222  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

manufactory,  he  says :  "  It  is  indeed  an  astonishing  dis- 
play of  the  skill  and  ingenuity  of  man ;  and  shows  how 
much  a  finite  mind  may  effect  by  long  and  unremitting 
attention.  And  what  then  may  not  the  infinite  mind  of 
God  effect  ?  What  wonder  that  he  should  build  the  uni- 
verse !  and  much  more,  should  raise  out  of  the  dust  the 
machine  of  a  vegetable  or  animal  body !  But  herein  his 
works  differ  essentially  and  infinitely  from  those  of  man  ; 
— God's  machines  propagate  their  own  species." 

After  Mr.  Benson's  return  to  town  he  was  engaged  for 
some  time  in  his  official  duties  as  editor,  in  correcting  the 
Minutes  of  conference,  and  preparing  matter  for  the  Ma- 
gazines and  other  publications ;  but  though  he  was  now 
about  sixty  years  of  age,  yet  he  performed  his  Lord's-day 
duties  with  undiminished  zeal  and  success.  Thus,  Octo- 
ber 26th,  he  says  :  "  Having  walked  to  Chelsea  and  back, 
and  a  mile  at  least  to  dinner,  in  all  about  thirteen  miles,  I 
have  found  myself  rather  weary  on  my  return  home. 
However,  I  have  had  a  comfortable  day,  having  been  as- 
sisted in  preaching,  and  the  congregations  being  both 
times  large  and  attentive.  We  made  a  collection  for  their 
Benevolent  Society,  which  is  yet  in  its  infancy."  At 
Twickenham,  November  9th,  he  met  a  class,  where,  he 
observes,  "  I  had  the  comfort  of  finding  three  persons  in 
it,  pious  and  steady,  wTho  had  been  awakened  under  a  dis- 
course delivered  by  me  six  years  before,  at  the  opening  of 
the  chapel  there.  I  was  also  informed  of  another  who 
was  brought  to  the  Lord  under  my  preaching  that  day, 
and  who  continues  to  adorn  the  gospel.  I  do  not  remem- 
ber an  instance  of  so  many  being  brought  to  true  repent- 
ance in  so  small  a  congregation,  (for  I  think  we  had  not 
above  two  hundred  hearers,)  under  one  or  two  of  my  ser- 
mons. I  fear  I  have  frequently  preached  to  two  or  three 
thousand  hearers,  w7hen  not  so  many  as  one  or  two  have 
received  any  deep  and  lasting  impressions.     Thus  we  may 


LIFE  EPH  uk.n 

soup  times  be  instrumental  of  doing  Lrreat  good,  when  ire 
do  nol  expect  it ;  and  i:  s  do  none,  win 

tliink  ire  arc  do  si." 

January  :.  he  make*  the  following  record  in  his 

journal  :-  vO   lias    b: 

and  my  wife  and  children,  to  the  beginning  of  tin- 
in  health  and  safety.     The  I  greatly,  and  tar  be- 
yond my  expectation,  restored  my  wif<  eraWe 
portion  of  health  and  strength,  from  ■  state  of 
and  long-continued                  i, — and  t.  in  an- 
U>  prayer.     During  the  year,  it  baa  pleased  him  to 
give  our  two  eldest  dsughtera  a  km              of  theii  tu 
I     •  through  the  Son  of  his  love.     And 
ed  be  God,  tiny  hare,  from  that  tuna,  and  indeed  for  two 
or  tin'               given  solid  proof  <>f  theii  seriousness  and 
genuine  piety.     My  second  son  b                      binself  to 
the  sacred  office  of  preaching  tin-  gospel  in  the  Church  of 
England.     Surely,  for  all  these  mercies,  I   am  in  duty 

bound  to  praise  the  Lord  !      I  hope  1   am   thankful   for  Ids 

mercies;  and  I  now  devote  myself  afresh  to  !.. 

!  and  my  whole  family  lire  man  lory  than 

we  did  tin- 1  have  been 

unable  to  Bupply  my  place  at  Qu< 
our  quarterly  plan.     1  do  not  remember  that  I  • 
hindered  from  preaching  by  indisposition,  oi  any  thing 
else,  before,  two  Sundays  together,  sines  1  hr^t  Lra\e  my- 
seif  op  to  tin-  work  ami  «  travelling 

preacher.     I  bless  tin'  Lord,  1  have  sp<  y  comfort- 

ably, in   reading,  meditation,  and  prayer;  and,  1 
though  prevented  from  attending  tin-  public  ordinal) 

been  enabled  t«>  improve  my  time,  and  worship  God 
in  spirit   and   in  truth,  m   pril  the  Lord,  <>  my 

soul  !" 

.Inly  3d  he   writes:   "Our   district  meeting   1>»  iiiLr   held 
this  week,  most  of  my  time,  for  these  three  past  day- 


224  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

been  taken  up  in  attending  the  meetings  of  the  brethren, 
and  considering  the  affairs  of  the  connection  in  general, 
and  of  this  district  in  particular.  We  have  cause  to  be 
thankful  that  all  the  brethren  in  the  district  have  walked 
according  to  the  gospel,  and  that  the  work  flourishes  in 
most  places."  July  26th  he  preached  at  Manchester. 
"  This,"  says  he,  "  has  been  a  very  precious  day.  I  have 
been  very  much  assisted  in  my  work,  and  I  trust  the  word 
has  been  attended  with  a  blessing.  In  the  forenoon,  at 
Salford,  the  chapel  was  exceedingly  crowded ;  indeed 
many  scores  could  not  get  in.  Most  present  were  very 
much  affected  while  I  described  the  fall  and  recovery  of 
Peter.  In  the  afternoon,  at  Bridge  water-street,  the  chapel 
was  much  crowded ;  and  we  had  a  very  affecting  time, 
while  I  explained  and  applied, '  Why  stand  ye  here  all  the 
day  idle  V  But  at  Oldham-street  chapel,  in  the  evening, 
the  congregation  was  immense ;  many  went  away,  not 
being  able  to  get  in  at  the  door  ;  and  all  were  still  as  night, 
while  I  discoursed  with  freedom  and  enlargement  on  Heb. 
xii,  25.  It  was  a  most  solemn,  and  I  trust  profitable,  time 
to  many.  I  afterward  read  a  letter  from  Nova-Scotia ; 
when  the  whole  congregation  seemed  as  if  nailed  to  the 
place,  and  unwilling  to  go  away.  The  singers  afterward 
sung,  in  a  delightful  manner,  that  hymn,  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  the  first  verse  : — 

'  Blest  be  the  dear  uniting  love, 
That  will  not  let  us  part ; 
Our  bodies  may  far  off  remove, 
We  still  are  one  in  heart.'  " 

After  attending  the  conference,  which  was  held  this 
year  in  Liverpool,  he  returned  to  London,  August  13th, 
and  "  gave  thanks  to  the  Lord  for  his  loving-kindness,"  and 
for  the  state  of  health  and  comfort  in  which  he  found  his 
family.  The  following  Lord's  day  he  preached  in  the 
morning,    at    City-road    chapel,    from    that    encouraging 


LIKE  OK  JOS! 

declaration,  ';  All  things  work  together  for  good  to  them 
that  love  God."     "The  word,"  \<- 

Mended  with  s  Messing,  rod,  it  I  ■ftemard  found, 
was  made  ■  meana  of  comfort  to  many.'1  October  2d  lie 
says  :  "  1  bare  fbond  it  reiy  edifying  tad  refreshing  to 
read  the  proof'  I  Mr.  I  !• 

Paul,'  which  WO   SIS   now  printii.  hal  a  chat 

ho    draw   of    St.    Paul,   and   of   ev.ry   true   minister 

of  Christ!     ()  thai  1   could,  in  r  that 

chaiacU  n 

H October  4th.  1  bleaa  the  Lord,  this  haa  been  to  bm  s 
very  oomfortable  day,  in  preaching  at  Lambeth,  N»t}i  in 
tho  forenoon  rod  evening.     The  Lord  mi.  ted  me 

hotli  times.     The  congregations  were  rery  crov 

very  attentive  ;    au«l    in    th<-    monntllg,    in    particular,    mauv 

wen  sJfected.    Th<  fOB  work  smoog 

the  people,  rod  great  unity  and  lo  sen  the  leaden 

and  principal  members  of  the  soci< 

"January  3d,  1808,  being  the  day  appoint  -  Mr. 

Benson,  "for  tho  renewal  of  our  covenant  with  Go 
City-road  chapel,  I  preached   m  me  forenoon  on   Dent. 

10-1  i.  I  showed,  1.  That  to  enter  into  cov< 
u  itli  ( Iod,  rmd  even  hold  meetings  publicly  lor  that  pu- 
is not  an  unprecedented  thing  in  tho  chun  id,  but 
has  been  usual  in  former  i  of  tho 
covenant  into  which  we  aro  called  to  outer,  and  how  we 
may  outer  into  it :  :>.  The  end  for  which  w<«  should  ^\'^  H  : 
l.  I  applied  tho  subject."  March  Blh  Mr.  Benson  risked 
a  gentleman  who  was  spperently  dying  of  s  consumption  ; 
and.  finding  that  he  was  tar  from  being  satisfied  with  re- 
spect to  the  truth  of  Christianity,  spent  some  tiino  in  con- 
versing with  him  on  tho  evidences  adduced  in  proof  of  its 
truth  and  certainty.  11.-  seemed  open  to  conviction;  and 
Mr.  Hcnson  entertained  a  hope  that  ho  would  be  brought 
to  experience  the  power  of  that  blessed  religion,  the  truth 
10* 


226  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  which  he  unhappily  called  in  question.  A  week  after 
he  paid  him  another  visit.  "  I  found  him,"  says  he,  "  much 
weaker  in  body,  but  apparently  more  desirous  of  knowing 
and  believing  the  truth.  I  had  sent  him  Doddridge's  three 
sermons  on  the  Evidences  of  Christianity ;  and  I  was 
glad  to  find  that  he  had  perused  them  carefully,  and 
that  he  wished  to  peruse  them  again."  Subsequently 
Mr.  Benson  paid  a  third  visit  to  him,  when  he  found  reason 
to  say :  "  I  trust  he  is  now  truly  in  earnest  for  God's 
salvation." 

May  22d  Mr.  Benson  preached  at  City-road  chapel,  on 
behalf  of  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  His  text 
was  Romans  iii,  1,2.  "I  considered,"  says  he,  "  1.  The 
appellation  here  given  to  the  Scriptures, — '  The  oracles  of 
God:'  2.  The  advantage  they  that  are  favoured  with  the 
Scriptures  have  above  others  :  3.  The  obligation  which  lies 
upon  such  to  improve  this  advantage  themselves,  and  to  com- 
municate it  to  others."  The  following  Sunday  he  preached 
at  Queen-street,  in  aid  of  the  funds  of  that  benevolent 
institution.  About  this  time  he  was  unusually  engaged  in 
preaching  occasional  sermons.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
months  he  opened  new  chapels  at  Brighton,  Southwark, 
Feversham,  Marlow,  Towcester,  Rochester,  and  Gosport, 
besides  preaching  charity  sermons  on  behalf  of  Sunday 
schools  in  different  parts  of  England. 

May  4th,  1809,  he  observes:  "In  the  forenoon,  I  at- 
tended Surrey  chapel,  and  heard  a  minister  from  Edin- 
burgh. His  subject  was  Psalm  xlv,  17,  '  I  will  make  thy 
name  to  be  remembered  in  all  generations.'  He  showed 
at  large,  1.  That  notwithstanding  the  difficulties  in  the 
way,  and  the  efforts  that  had  been  used  to  suppress  his 
(Christ's)  name  ;  yet  that  it  had  been  remembered,  when 
other  names,  however  great  and  glorious,  had  perished :  I 
2.  The  means  made  use  of  to  perpetuate  his  name;  (1.) 
The  Bible  ;  (2.)  Preaching  the  word  ;  and  (3.)  The  efforts 


LIFE  BPH  BENS 

oi  God's  people.     It  certainly  was  an  able  sermon;  but 

i  think,  upon  three  parts  of  the  congregation." 
For  boom  considerable  tune  past,  Mr.  Benson  had  me- 
ditated the  design  of  writing  short  notes  on  the  ( )M  and 

New    Testaments:    but    his  various    and    important    :■.-. 

boa*  bad  prevented  him  from  esxrying  hi>  purpose  into 
ition ;  and  the  duties  that  now   devolved  npon  him 
rather  increased  than  diminished.     So  ti. 
rained  to  Bay,  wl  find  daily  thai  I  I  ranch 

work  npon  my  hands;  hut  how  to  help  it  I  do  not  know, 
aa  I  cannot  tell  to  whom,  with  any  propriety,  I  coold  corn- 
mil  any  part  of  it     Ma\  the  Lord  direct  me  in  all  things, 

and    give    a   hi.  my  endeavours   to  show  forth  his 

But  though   his   time   was    BO  fully  occupied    m 

iitorial  department,  yet  baring  been  urged  by  the 
rence  to  commence  the  work  which  he  hail  bo  brag 

contemplated,  he  began  i  arlj  in  l  i 

the  BiUe.      Considering  the  period  of  his  life,  (for  1m 

now   in  tip  re,)  and  tlie  various 

duties  that  claimed  B  share  of  his  daily  attention,  to 

even  short  notes  on  the  whole  of  the  ScriptareB  might  be 

led  ;is  a  ta>k  tOO  arduous  to  In   carried  into  execution. 

According  to  the  original  proposal,  the  work  was  to  he  com- 
prised in  one  lar^'e  folio  volume.  Of  in  two  volumes  quarto; 

hut  Mr.  Benson  baring  written  copious  notes  on  tin 
part  oi  the  hook  of  ( reneaia,  the  Bnbscri 
so  ranch  gratified  with  the  work,  that  they  i  i  a  de- 

sire that  he  would  p.  ie  had  begun,  and.  instead  of 

a  family  Bihle,  thai  he  would  furnish  them  with  a  Commen- 
tary. He  received  information  of  this  from  the  preachers 
in  different  parts  of  the  connection  ;  and  M  tin*  succeeding 
conference   baring  expressed   a   similar  desire,  lie,  with  a 

diligence  and  perseverance  o(  which  few  young  men 
capable,  proceeded  with  the  arduous  undertaking." 
November  30th  he  received  intelligence  of  hi- 


228  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSOJS. 

death.  She  had  attended  preaching  at  the  chapel  at  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  November  26th,  and 
about  nine  on  the  evening  of  the  following  day  she  died. 
Mr.  Benson  says  of  her :  "  My  sister  turned  sincerely  to 
the  Lord  when  she  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  at  the 
time  I  did,  which  is  now  three -and-forty  years  ago.  She 
then  found  redemption  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  the  forgive- 
ness of  sins,  and  joined  the  Methodist  society.  From  that 
time  till  the  end  of  her  life  she  continued  a  member ;  and, 
I  trust,  in  general,  walked  worthy  of  her  Christian  profes- 
sion. Her  faith  and  patience  were  greatly  tried  by  bodily 
affliction  in  herself  and  family.  But  she  was  enabled  to 
put  her  trust  in  the  Lord,  and  to  resign  herself  up  to  his 
disposal ;  meeting  death,  at  last,  with  perfect  peace  and 
resignation.  May  the  Lord  sanctify  her  death  to  me,  as 
also  to  her  husband  and  surviving  children !"  In  about  a 
month  after  this,  Mr.  Benson  had  to  sustain  another  be- 
reavement, that  affected  him  still  more  tenderly.  The 
excellent  partner  of  his  life,  the  wife  of  his  youth,  the 
mother  of  his  children,  and  the  long-tried  and  beloved 
companion  of  his  joys  and  sorrows,  whose  health  had  been 
declining  for  some  time  previously,  was  called  to  exchange 
mortality  for  life,  January  3d,  1810,  in  the  fifty-second  year 
of  her  age.  "  We  lived  together,"  says  Mr.  Benson,  "  thirty 
years  within  one  month ;  but  we  are  now  parted  until  the 
resurrection  of  the  just.  All  my  children  have  been  much 
affected  at  the  death  of  their  mother ;  but  I  best  know  the 
loss  I  have  suffered.  And  this  evening,  such  a  load  of 
sorrow  came  upon  my  mind,  as  I  knew  neither  how  to 
shake  off,  nor  support.  However,  after  a  little  time  I  ob- 
tained some  relief.  May  the  Lord  sanctify  this  dispensa- 
tion to  me,  and  to  us  all ! 

"  February  11th.  This  morning,"  says  he,  "  I  preached 
at  Lambeth.  My  subject  was  Luke  viii,  18.  Mr.  Jenkins 
was  to  have  administered  the  sacrament ;   but  he  being 


LIFE  OF  JOSEFII  BENS  2'J9 

weak  and  unwell.  I  read  the  the  bread. 

Tina  l-  the  first  time  that  I  ever  administi  n 
in  administering,  the  Lord's  supper.   I  have  always  hitherto 
declined  it ;  and  that  for  one  reason  only, — that  I  might 
as  little  a-    possible  depart    from  the  Church  of  England; 

wishing  the  Methodists  to  communicate  at  their  | 
ehnrches,  as  in  Mr.  \\  <  sl<  \ ' 

May  27th  Mr.  Benson  iras  called  to  improve  the  death 

of   Mr.  Rankin.      In  the  year  177'J.  after  having  travelled 

in  different  circuits  at  home  for  ten  years,  I  (point- 

ed by  Mr.  Wesley  to  superintend  the  societii  erica. 

lie  continued  :  king  the  gospel  with 

great  success;  but  at  the  commencement  of  die  American 
war  lie  returned  to  England,  and  after  haying  r-  - 
supernumerary  in   London  fi  '  years,  he  finished 

his  course  May  lTtli.  1810.       Mr    ! 

nation  that   attended  to   hear  the  funeral  sermon,  M  which 

was  immense,  i  sttentire;  and  the  Lord  in  a 

sure  assisted  me  on  the  occasion." 

\t  the  conference  held  tin-  year,  (l^io.)  in  London.  Mr 
how  ii  a  second  time  to  till  the  offl 

lent.  "This,"  says  he.  "to  me  was  unexpected  till 
last  Friday  or  Saturday;  and  it  will  greatly  hinder  me  in 
my  work,   of  editing  the    Magazine,  and  other  work-,  and 

going  on  with  my  Commentary  on  the  Bible.     How. 

hope  the  Lord  will  as-i>t  and  help  me  through  these  diffi- 
culties ;   especially  as  the  burden  was  laid  upon  me  !>v  mv 

brethren  in  the  course  of  Providence,  and  entirely  without 

my  seeking."       IngUSt    lth  lie  writes;    "  I  thank  the  Lord 

that  he  has  helped  me  through  one  week;  and  w. 

tainly  have  gone  on  in    £roat    peace    and    harmony,    and 
much  better  than  usual.     [Jnto  God  be  all  the  glory." 

January  3d,  1811,  after  being  in  the  country  for  a  few 
days,  preaching  occasional  sermons,  he  returned  home 
about  ten  at  night.      After  supper,  when  he  kneeled  down 


230  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  pray,  lie  fell  upon  the  floor,  as  if  dead.  "  Of  this,"  says 
he,  "  my  daughters  afterward  informed  me."  He  then 
adds,  "  They  lifted  me  up,  and  in  about  ten  minutes  I  came 
to  myself,  and  found  that  I  was  seated  in  a  chair.  Blessed 
be  the  Lord  for  his  mercies,  who  did  not  so  suddenly  give 
me  over  unto  death,  which  would  have  been  very  distress- 
ing to  my  dear  children ;  though  I  have  no  doubt  that  I 
should  have  been  with  the  Lord,  having  no  other  business 
any  day  of  my  life,  or  any  hour  of  any  day,  than  to  live  to 
him  who  died  for  me."  April  21st  he  observes :  "  I  should 
have  preached  at  Spitalfields  this  forenoon,  and  at  the 
City-road  chapel  this  evening ;  but  having  confined  my- 
self almost  entirely  to  my  study  all  the  last  week,  and 
wrote  and  read,  with  hardly  any  intermission,  from  about 
five  in  the  morning  till  eleven  at  night,  I  found  myself 
very  unwell  when  I  rose  this  morning,  and  inclined  to  fall 
down  and  faint  away.  I  continued  all  the  forenoon,  and  a 
great  part  of  the  afternoon,  excessively  sick  at  times,  and 
inclined  to  faint.  I  thank  God,  I  grew  better  toward  the 
evening.  May  this  affliction  be  sanctified  to  me,  and  all 
my  children !" 

June  12th  Mr.  Benson  observes :  "  I  spent  some  time 
to-day  with  Lady  Mary  Fitzgerald.  She  is  now  become 
exceeding  feeble,  sinking  fast  into  the  grave.  But  her 
faculties  do  not  seem  much,  if  any  thing,  impaired  ;  save 
her  hearing,  which  is  very  imperfect.  And  the  graces  of 
God's  Spirit,  especially  humility,  resignation,  and  patience, 
are  in  lively  exercise.  She  is  evidently  ripening  fast  for 
glory  ;  and,  I  doubt  not,  whenever  she  is  called,  will  change 
mortality  for  life.  Happy  was  the  choice  she  made,  when 
she  gave  up  the  gay  world,  and  the  pleasures  of  a  court, 
for  the  cross  and  the  reproach  of  Christ."  She  lived  until 
April  in  the  following  year  ;  and  on  the  eighth  day  of 
that  month,  when  alone  in  her  room,  her  clothes  caught 
fire,  and  she  was  so  dreadfully  burned  that  she  survived 


UFI  SKF1J  B£He  831 

but  a  few  hours.     Her  last  word-  (  ome,  Lord  Je- 

sus, my  bl<  leeraer  ;  come,  and  receive  my  spirit !" 

Having  thus  adopted  the  dying  prayer  of  Stephen,  like 
him  she  fell  llleep,  and  waked  to  keep  an  eternal  sabbath 

in  the  realm  of  glory. 

In   conformity  with   a  clause   in  her   will,   her  remain 
were  interred  in  the  burial-ground  of  t.  banel. 

A  marble  tablet  has  been  erected  to  her  memocj,  in  the 
south-east  cornel  of  the  ehapeL     After  her  | 

birth,  title,  and  death,  are  mentioi  tie  tablet,  it  is 

added  :  — 

••This   mom.  .  tribute  of  affection 

and  feneration,  by  hei  grandson,  !;•  alone]  Thomas 

ai   Fn  /■■!  :;  \i.d." 

June  loth  Mr.  lb  ititudfl  to  I 

that  he  had  been  enabled  to  finish  tin-  tilth  part  of  his 
( 'ommentarv  upon  tin-  Bible  ;  and  that  the  demand  for  the 
work  :i,   that    i*  reprint  all  the 

former  numbers.     Haying,  m  subetance,  expeeeaed  him- 
self thus,  he  turned  his  attention  for  a  MM 
sideration  of  tlie  ministerial  and  literary  labours  in  \shieh 

••  1  must  not   look  too   much 
before  me  ;  otherwise  lh<  i  much  labour  would 

quite  diecourage  me.     1  moat  take  each  day  as  it  i 

and  trust  in  the  Lord  for  Strength  for  the  day."  Such  has 
the  demand  for  this  inestimable  work,  that  a  fifth 
edition  of  it  is  now  in  the  pre>s  ;  and  no  doubt  can  ; 
tertamed.  but  it  will  continue  to  be  a  standing  Commentary 
10  the  Methodist  connection,  and  be  read  with  pleasure 
and  profit  by  generations  yet  Hainan 

June  26th  .Mr.  Benson  opened  ■  new  chapel  at  Salisbury. 
h  it  will  contain, "  he  obeervee,  u  I  think,  twelve  or  fourteen 

hundred  people,  and  is  well  contrived  for  hearing."  It  was 
completely  tilled  in  the  morning  ;  and  at  six  in  the  even- 
ing  many   .scores   could  not  get  within  the  doors.     June 


232  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

28th  he  spent  an  hour  in  viewing  Salisbury  cathedral, 
which,  to  use  his  own  language,  "  is  a  light,  neat,  and 
beautiful  Gothic  structure,  not  much,  if  any  thing,  inferior 
to  that  of  Lincoln,  or  even  York ;  nay,  it  is  judged  to  be 
the  most  elegant  and  regular  building  in  the  kingdom.  But 
alas  !  of  how  little  use  is  this  immense  and  curious  edifice, 
began  in  1219,  and  finished  in  1258  ;  and  which,  accord- 
ing to  an  estimate  delivered  in  to  Henry  III.,  cost  forty 
thousand  marks  ;  but  if  built  now,  would  doubtless  cost  a 
hundred  times  as  much !  There  is  not  a  place  in  any  part 
of  it  for  a  congregation  of  a  thousand  people  ;  nor,  I  un- 
derstood, do  as  many  as  a  hundred  generally  attend." 

This  year  the  conference  was  held  in  Sheffield.  On 
his  way  to  that  place,  Mr.  Benson  preached  three  times  at 
Derby,  "  with  much  liberty,  and  good  effect  upon  the  minds 
of  his  hearers.  All  were  very  attentive,  and  some  seemed 
much  affected."  July  28th  he  preached  before  the  con- 
ference, from  John  xviii,  37 ;  on  which  occasion  he  ob- 
serves :  "  I  thank  the  Lord,  he  assisted  me  very  much ; 
and,  I  believe,  it  was  to  many  a  profitable  opportunity. 
There  were  nearly  three  hundred  preachers,  and  a  very 
crowded  congregation,  and  all  attentive  and  still  as  night. 
I  intended  the  sermon  to  be  introductory  to  a  set  of  ser- 
mons, on  the  great  and  leading  doctrines  of  the  gospel,  to 
be  delivered  by  different  preachers,  at  the  same  chapel,  in 
the  evenings  during  the  conference." 

The  editorial  work  which  now  devolved  upon  Mr.  Ben- 
son was  greater  than  he  could  possibly  perform.  To  afford 
him  some  relief,  and  permit  him  to  devote  a  considerable 
portion  of  his  time  to  facilitate  the  progress  of  his  Com- 
mentary, the  conference  appointed  Mr.  James  Macdonald 
as  an  assistant  editor ;  in  whom  Mr.  Benson  found  a  most 
faithful  and  laborious  coadjutor  for  six  succeeding  years. 

"  February  23d,  1812.  Last  week,"  says  Mr.  Benson, 
"  a  deputation  of  our  Committee  of  Privileges  waited  on 


LIFE 

the  right  honourable  th<  llor  of  the   exchequer, 

Mr.  P<  it  his  house  in  Downii  ti nj^ 

any  instances  occurring  in  differ*  nt  parts  of  the  king- 
dom, in  which  our  preach  i  oil  and  to 

refused  li  •  nee  <>f  ■  new  <  onstruc- 

iiDii  put  on  die  Toleration  Act  by  Lord  Ml!-  i  and 

other  judges,  in  the  King's  Bench.     Mr   ('• 

v  politely,  showed  u>  gr<  al  courtesy  and  km  ' 
and  patiently  h<  counl  of  our  whole  plan  md 

nouiv  ;    and    h<  ,  that    his 

foment  had  ueither  intention  nor  desire  to 
■  nte,  nor  will  sanction  any  kind  of  religious  I"  I 
tiou  or  intolerance  ■    The  following  d 
from  tin-  Genera]  Comra  forwarded  to  all  tin 

perintendent  pr<  i  England,  from  which  i 

the  following  ;  — 

■ 
"Dear  Sir,      i    i  i  l  Committ 

informed,  by  letu  rs  mom  varum-,  parts  of  the  country,  that 
considerable  uneasiness  has  h»  en  excited  by  the  n 
of  in  to  administer  th  under  the    \  | 

of  Toleration,  to  serenl  of  our  pr.  md  by  the 

threatenings  of  some  persons  to  enforce  tin-  penahii 
the  ( lonrenticle,  and  ot!nr  o!> 

\>  man}  mi  our  in.  ;i  Is  wish  for  directions  how 
I  under  present  circumt  on,  in 

the    name    of  the    Lord,  just    as   you   ha\e  done, — fearing 

-honouring  the  king, — working  righteousness, — and 

endeavouring  by  all  means  to  the  from  the  wrath  to  COUM. 

M  We  most  heartily  respect  the  laws  ,,|  our  country  ;  hut 
we  hold  it  as  an  unalnmaMr  n<_rht  of  conscience,  that  every 
man  should  he  allowed  to  teach  the  eternal  verities  of  our 

holy  religion  to  nil  who  are  willing  to  be  taught  by  him  : 
and  although  well-regulated  societies  and  denominations 
of  Christians  will  exercise  their  own  rules  for  the  admis- 


234  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

sion  of  public  or  private  teachers  among  themselves,  yet 
we  most  tenaciously  disclaim  all  right  in  the  civil  magis- 
trate to  interfere  in  these  sacred  matters,  while  our  teach- 
ers are  acting  in  obedience  to  the  laws  in  all  other  respects, 
and  preaching  the  sound  doctrines  of  the  purest  morality 
according  to  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

"We  are  therefore  decidedly  and  unanimously  of  opinion, 
that  our  preachers,  class-leaders,  exhorters,  visiters  of  the 
sick,  Sunday-school  teachers,  &c,  should  go  on  as  usual 
in  their  respective  duties.  Places  of  public  worship  should 
be  registered  as  heretofore  ;  but  if  any  persons  should  im- 
bibe a  persecuting  spirit,  and  choose  to  levy  penalties  on 
any  of  our  unoffending  people,  we  recommend  that  the 
latter  should  suffer  distress  on  their  goods,  or  imprison- 
ment of  their  persons,  rather  than  pay  any  penalties  for 
worshipping  God  agreeably  to  the  dictates  of  their  con- 
sciences. If,  however,  we  should  be  called  to  suffer,  let 
us  suffer  in  a  Christian  spirit,  in  all  meekness  ;  praying  for 
our  enemies,  ever  remembering,  that  if  we  even  give  our 
bodies  to  be  burned,  and  have  not  charity,  it  profiteth  us 
nothing." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  235 


CHAPTER  IV. 


Mr     He  i.-on's  continued  lahour Hi  •    chapels  at  Tun- 

i- Wells  and  G  tknown  friend 

to  him — He  finiahx 
a  r«-rii.irl;.i: •!••  wawer  to  prayer  on  behalf 

road   chapel  before    the   d 

aru    introduced   u,- 

chapel — Fin  .  utarv — His    remarks    on    education — He 

attendi 

infirmities  to  preach  regularly— Conclude  .-.  Wal- 

worth— His  health  rapidly  dr. 

during  his  affliction — Hii  dV  .eh  —  Funeral  —  Enacription  on  his  < 

Mi;.  Hi  N    ON    U  ifl  DO*    in  ' 

and  though  his  week-daya  were  fnllj  occupied  in  his  1 1 1 « • — 
rary  Lsbours,  \\  Inn  he  seldom  preached  ezcepl  on  particu- 
lar occasions,  yet  on  the  Lord'i  day  he  took  ln>  lull  .share 
of  work  in  preaching,  and  in  dm  i  I  the  quar- 

terly visitations,  whenever  he  wss  appointed  by  the  super- 
intendent.  June  7th  he  says:  "In  the  morning  I  walked 
to  Chelsea,  shout  .six  miles,  and  preached  lor  tin-  first  time, 

in  their  new  chapel,  with  which  1  was  much  pat  SSetL    The 

congregation,  however,  by  do  means  filled  it.     Altai  i 

inn  two  classes,  1   went  a  mile  or  two  further  to  (line,  and 

then  walked  to  Queen-street,  to  preach  in  the  erening. 
The  day  being  hot,  1  was  a  little  fatigued.      1 1 • « \s 
alter  resting  a  little,  and  taking  tea,  1  was  much  refreshed. 

At  six  o'clock  I   preached  with  comfort  to  a  very  crowded 

congregation.    After  preaching,  at  Mr.  Butterworth's  desire, 

I  read  to  the  congregation  an  account  of  the  conversation 

which  the  Uev.  Mr.  Wilson  had  had  with  Bellingham,  the 

isin  of  Mr.  Perceval,  in  his  cell  at  Newgate,  before 

he  was  executed.  It  appears  he  did  not  die  a  penitent, 
but   quite   hardened."      The   horrid   deed,  to  which   Mr. 


236  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Benson  refers,  was  perpetrated  about  a  month  before  :  Mr. 
Perceval  was  in  the  lobby  of  the  House  of  Commons,  when 
he  was  shot  dead  with  a  pistol,  by  a  wretch  who  pretended 
that  he  had  lost  some  property  in  Russia,  which  he  thought 
our  government  ought  to  restore.  "  Mr.  Perceval  had," 
says  Mr.  Benson,  "  pledged  himself  to  bring  into  the  House 
of  Commons  a  bill,  to  secure  us  and  the  Dissenters  the 
privileges  of  the  Toleration  Act,  in  opposition  to  the  new 
construction  put  upon  it  in  some  late  trials  in  the  court  of 
King's  Bench. 

On  the  24th  day  of  this  month  Mr.  Benson,  assisted  by 
Mr.  Reece,  opened  a  new  chapel  at  Tunbridge-Wells  :  on 
which  occasion  he  observes :  "  Blessed  be  the  Lord,  we 
had  a  remarkably  good  day.  The  little  chapel,  which  will 
hold  about  four  hundred  people,  was  completely  filled  three 
times.  In  the  morning  I  preached  on  Romans  i,  16  ;  and 
in  the  evening,  on  Luke  xxiv,  47.  I  was  much  assisted 
both  times,  but  especially  in  the  evening.  Mr.  Reece,  in 
the  afternoon,  gave  us  a  very  good  sermon  on  Christian 
zeal,  from  Galatians  iv,  18." 

About  a  fortnight  after,  he  again  engaged  in  a  similar 
work  at  Gravesend,  where  a  new  chapel  had  been  recently 
erected.  "  In  the  forenoon,"  he  says,  "  I  preached  with 
much  liberty  on  1  Corinthians  iii,  11-13.  Mr.  Stephens 
preached  in  the  afternoon,  on  our  Lord's  raising  the  widow 
of  Nain's  son,  from  Luke  vii,  11.  In  the  evening  I  preach- 
ed again,  when  my  subject  was  Luke  xv,  7.  The  chapel 
was  crowded  with  very  attentive  hearers  ;  and  the  Lord 
again  favoured  me  with  much  enlargement  of  mind,  and 
liberty  of  speech." 

Sunday,  July  26th,  being  at  Sheffield,  on  his  way  to  the 
Leeds  conference,  "  I  have,"  says  he,  "  preached  twice 
this  day  at  Carver-street  chapel ;  and  each  time  to  a  con- 
gregation of  not  less,  I  think,  than  two  thousand  or  two 
thousand  five  hundred  hearers,  who  were  all  as  still  as 


LIFE  UK  JOSEPH  BENSON.  237 

night,  and  many  much  affect*  d.  The  Lord  filled  my 
mouth  with  arguments,  and  enabled  me  to  bear  a  faithful 
testimony  to  the  truth,  such  as  I  believe  many  felt.  0  that 
the  good  impreasiona  made  may  not  die  away,  but  produce 
Having  to  preach  at  Albion-street  cha- 
pel, Leeds,  on  the  evening  of  August  'Jd.  although  he  went 
there  an  hour  before  the  time  for  conuneocing  the  service, 
yet  such  was  the  eagerness  of  multitudes  to  hear  him,  that 
it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  press  through  the  crowd  into 
the  jiulpit.     And  alter  the  chapel  sras  completely  filled, 

such  <.rr<-at  QUOT  inbled  at  the  place,  that  thn  I 

a  i  re  formed,  which  three  of  the  preach- 
in  different  parti  of  the 

January  17th,  l si:{.  he  obsi  m  i;  M  An  unknown  friend 
called  uj)on  ni«-  one  evening  lately,  and  gave  me  forty-five 
pounds  to  distribute  in  charity  among  the  poor." 
mentioning  how  he  had  d  iter  part  of  that 

sum.  he  adds,  m  relation  to  the  friend  from  whom  !.• 
ceived  it,  "  His  tare  is  to  do  good  in  secret  ;  and,  hi 
he  God,  1  have  met  with  many  luchoflati 

May  9th  he  preached  a  sermon  at   Hammersmith,  on 

the  Occasion  of  the  death  of  Mr.  William  Williams,  the 
superintendent  preacher  of  that  circuit;   a  man  Q 

understanding,  and  of  a  clear  and  sound  judgment,  • 

dally  in  the  word  of  God.  lie  was  particularly  attentive 
to  the   ministerial   improvement   of  hie  junior  colli:; 

his  large  and  valuable  mental  Bton  -  w*  re  sip  ijn  st  their 
service;  and  severs!  of  them  have  acknowledged  with 
gratitude  to  Cod  the  advantage  which  they  have  derived 
from  his  kind  and  intelligent  conversation.     He  had  much 

of  the    presence  of  God  With   him  in  his   illness,    and    his 

last  words  were.  u Come,  Lord  Ji^us  come  quickly! 
Even  so.  Lord  Jesus!    Amen."     ••  1  hope,"  Mr.  Benson 

observes,  "that  his  death  will  be  made  the  means  of  spi- 
ritual good  to  many,  and  of  increasing  the  congregation, 


238  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  , 

which  has  generally  been  small  since  the  chapel  has  been 
opened." 

May  16th  he  preached,  morning  and  evening,  in  the  new 
chapel  at  Wednesbury ;  and  Mr.  Morley  preached  in  the 
afternoon.  "  It  is,"  Mr.  Benson  observes,  "  most  plea- 
santly situated  on  the  side  of  a  hill  fronting  the  west,  and 
very  conspicuous  from  the  road  leading  to  Birmingham.  It 
has  a  charming  circular  gallery,  capable  of  seating  proba- 
bly near  four  hundred  people.  The  body  of  the  chapel 
below  is  chiefly  intended  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
poor,  and  therefore  is  not  filled  with  pews,  except  a  cer- 
tain space  to  the  right  and  left  of  the  pulpit.  The  whole 
chapel  will  comfortably  contain  twelve  or  thirteen  hundred 
people.  The  Lord  was  pleased  to  assist  us  in  preaching  ; 
and,  to  our  astonishment,  the  sum  collected,  including  a 
few  pounds  given  at  Dudley  the  next  day,  amounted  to 
two  hundred  and  thirty  pounds  ;  and  this  chiefly  from  col- 
liers and  gun-lock  makers!"  Having  preached  at  Bilston 
and  Dudley  the  two  following  days,  he  observes :  "  I  was 
surprised  to  see  the  change  in  this  country  since  the  year 
1790,  when  I  was  in  the  Birmingham  circuit.  Through 
the  whole  country,  from  Birmingham  to  Wolverhampton, 
from  south  to  north,  about  fifteen  miles,  and  for  ten  miles 
from  east  to  west,  we  have  a  chapel  every  mile  and  a  half, 
or  every  two  or  three  miles.  This  hath  God  wrought ! 
This,  under  God,  is  the  fruit  of  our  people's  taking  joyfully 
the  spoiling  of  their  goods  at  Wednesbury,  and  the  neigh- 
bouring places,  in  1743  and  1744." 

July  25th  he  writes  :  "  Having,  as  I  have  thought,  no 
particular  call  to  go  to  conference,  and  wishing  to  save  all 
the  time  possible  for  my  Commentary  on  the  Bible,  and  the 
rather,  as  I  have  now  entered  upon  the  book  of  Isaiah,  I 
have  determined  to  stay  quietly  at  home,  and  go  on  with 
my  work.  I  was  so  peculiarly  assisted  in  preaching  to  a 
large  congregation,  both  forenoon  and  evening,  at  the  City- 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  REN*  N  239 

road,  that  I  cannot  doubt  of  my  baring  done  ri^rht  in  mak- 

IS  d.  termination.      I  shall  get  forward  with  my  Bible, 

and  redeem  the  time  I  lost  in  going  into  Staiibrdshire : 

I    shall  he  useful,   I  hope,  in   preaching,  Mr.    Myhs  only 

being  left  in  tin-  circuit  :   I  thai!  -  li  much  fatigue 

(»f  body,  and  relation  of  mind.     Blessed  he  the  Lord  for 

m  dness '" 

January  1st,  18]  sharing  mentioned  BereraJ  particulars 

relative   to   a  severe   affliction  under  which   one  of  his 

daughters  laboured  at  that  time,  h  "Thus  has  it 

•  d  the  Lord  thai  are  should  conclude  one  jrear  ami 

another,  under  his  chastening  hand.     May  the  trying 

dispensation  be  sanctified  to  ber,  and  to  the  whole  family' 

As    he    is   thus  t r\  w i lt   Snd  j»nmiiiLr  us,  may  are  hear  more 

fruit  to  his  glory."     The  following  day.  a'  eleven  o'clock, 

he  read  prayers  and  preached  at  1  I  i  rvice 

continued    until    after    one    o'clock.       \t    half-past    two   he 

kept  a  meeting  at  the  chapel  for  tie-  renewing  the 

nant  :    it  was  ; 1 1 1 . •  r  four  when  thil  OOclnded. 

He  then  administered  the   Lord's  supper  to  ahout  five  hun- 
dred communicants.     "  I  had  not  finished,''  he 
'•till  near  siw     I  preached  again  a*  seven  to  a 

gregation,    and    com  hided    ahout    half-past    eight       I     STM 
much  assisted  in  every  part  oftheserrice  during  the  day, 

and  I  trust  many  were  edified,  quickened,  and  comforted. 

Many    at    the    covenant    meeting     ware     much    affected." 

January  24th  he  says:    "This  evening,  the  same  friend, 

whom    I    do   not    know,   that    two   yean    ago    hit    with   me 

twenty  pounds,  to  he  distributed  at  my  discretion  to  the 

poor,   and    who  Issl    year   left    with    me    forty-live   pounds. 

Baying,  the  Lord  had  prospered  him,  called  upon  m- 

left    with   me    seventy   pounds    for   the  same    purpose,  and 

said,  '  The  more  1  give  the  Lord,  he  blesses  me  the  more.' 

1  wished  to  know  Ins  name,  hut  he  declined  <_rivin<r  lt  me 
Blessed  he  the  Lord,  that  there  are  those  to  be  found  who 


240  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

do  such  extensive  good,  and  yet  wish  not  to  be  known  to 
do  it ;  in  this  conscientiously  and  exactly  obeying  Christ's 
command  in  Matthew  vi,  1-4." 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  such  instances  of  noble, 
disinterested  benevolence  are  rarely  to  be  found  :  men 
who  "  do  good  by  stealth,  and  blush  to  find  it  fame."  Mr. 
Benson,  indeed,  mentions,  that  he  had  met  with  many  such 
examples  of  late  ;  but  in  this  respect,  he  was  certainly 
more  highly  privileged  than  most  of  his  brethren.  Minis- 
ters are  frequently  called  to  visit  the  sick,  and  especially 
the  afflicted  members  of  their  flocks,  many  of  whom  are  in 
humble  life,  and  in  abject  and  destitute  circumstances ; 
and  it  is  a  source  of  inexpressible  grief  to  them,  that  while 
they  are  ministering  to  them  the  consolations  of  religion, 
and  pouring  out  their  hearts  in  prayer  to  God  on  their  be- 
half, they  have  no  means  of  supplying  their  temporal 
wrants,  or  of  furnishing  them  with  such  things  as  in  their 
afflictive  circumstances  they  require.  Many  members  of 
Christian  churches  have  all  things  and  abound  ;  and  were 
they  to  put  into  the  hands  of  their  ministers  but  a  small 
portion  of  their  superfluous  wealth,  and  allow  them  to 
become  the  almoners  of  their  bounty,  they  would  thus 
make  themselves  friends  of  the  mammon  of  unrighteous- 
ness, cheer  the  minds  of  the  destitute,  and  cause  the 
widow's  heart  to  "  sing  for  joy." 

April  17th  Mr.  Benson  says  :  "  This  morning  I  walked 
to  Chelsea,  where  I  read  prayers,  preached,  and  adminis- 
tered the  Lord's  supper  in  the  forenoon,  with  much  com- 
fort. In  the  evening  I  preached  again,  and  was  favoured 
with  peculiar  liberty  and  enlargement.  Afterward  I 
walked  home,  and  thereby  walked,  upon  the  whole,  at 
least  fourteen  miles,  besides  performing  the  other  services 
in  which  I  engaged.  I  thank  God  for  giving  me  such 
strength  and  health  in  my  advanced  age." 

At  the  earnest  request  of  Mrs.  Mayer,  of  Cale-green, 


LIF!  241 

near  Stockport,  her  son,  and  many  other  friends,  Mr.  Ben- 
son   « •■  kport,   in  order  to  preach  a 

sermon  on  account  of  the  death  of  his  old,  excellent  friend, 
who  had,  for  ■  long  - 

Me  local  preacher;    and  had,  through  erer]  This 

Christian  coarse,  adorned  the  doctrii  1  bis 

Saviour.     Haring  arrived  at  Cale-green,  he  preached  in 
the  morning  of  I  December  the  1  Ith,  in  the  Hill-gat 
Stockport,  to  a  crowded  audi.  DC(  .  "ii  of  Mr. 

Mi\  i  from  '■!  Tim.  iv.  7.  B.      II. 

with  much  freedom  on  the  occasion  ;   and  both  himself 
and  the  congregation  were  much  affecti  iin,  in  the 

evening,  he  a  '  ng  of  not 

than  three  thousand  hearers,  in  ■  large  room  belong- 

kport   Sunday  school.       1 1>  1 
N\,    11.    12.      "Tim    Lord."   says  lie.  M  lav-mred  m<-    with 
peculiar  liberty.      It   was  indeed  one  of  the    most    solemn 

times  I  ever  bad.     May  the  effect  be  I 

December   1 8th  be  preached  twice  in   Oldham  at 
chapel,    Manchester.     In   th-  ion   the  chapel 

completely  filled  ;  and  in  the  evening,  before  it  was  quite 

time    to   begin,   the    crowd   w  It,  that,    in  order  to 

■  t  confusion,  it  was  judged  prudent  to  thai  the  <:- 

and  lock  the  iro  which  separate  between  Use  - 

and  the  chapel  yard,  and  to  admit  no  more  j    hence  manv 
htmdtt  '  \>  luded.     The 

served     within  ;     and     serioi  -  1     solemnity     WON 

apparent    throughout    the    whole  -ion.      Visiting 

SSter  on  bis  return,  at  the  Rev.  Hubert  Ha!'.' 
lie  preached  in  the  chapel  occupied  by  thai  eminent  and 

eloquent  preacher  of  the  gospel.     u  We  hs d."  says  Mr. 
Benson,  "both  Baptists  and  Methodists;  and  I  was 
bled  to  preach  with  liberty  and  comfort  on  1  John  v,   11. 
13.     The  congregation  was  very  attentive,  and  I  hope  did 

not  hear  in  vain.'' 

11 


242  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

"  Jan.  1st,  1815.  To-day,"  he  says,  "  I  have  preached 
twice  at  Westminster,  kept  a  covenant  meeting,  and  admin- 
istered the  Lord's  supper.  In  the  morning  my  subject  was 
Rom.  xii,  1 ;  and  in  the  evening,  Josh.xxiv,  15.  I  thank  God, 
I  was  much  assisted  both  times.  At  the  covenant  meeting 
in  the  afternoon,  and  the  Lord's  supper  afterward,  we  had  a 
very  affecting  and  precious  opportunity.  Many,  I  believe, 
were  greatly  refreshed."  He  preached  at  Lambeth,  Jan. 
15th,  from  Luke  i,  74,  75  ;  on  which  text  he  says  :  "I 
endeavoured  to  show,  1.  What  is  necessary  to  be  done  for 
us,  in  order  to  our  serving  God  acceptably ;  viz.,  that  we 
must  be  delivered  out  of  the  hands  of  our  enemies  :  2.  The 
nature  of  that  service  ;  that  it  must  be  without  fear,  &c. : 
3.  That  the  whole,  viz.,  our  deliverance  out  of  the  hands 
of  our  enemies,  and  inclination  and  power  to  serve  God, 
are  of  grace  :  '  That  he  would  grant,'  &c." 

February  19th,  after  preaching  at  City-road  chapel,  he 
read  to  the  congregation  several  interesting  letters,  recently 
received  from  some  of  our  missionaries  at  Ceylon.  "  The 
Lord,"  he  remarks,  '•  seems  in  a  very  extraordinary  way 
to  have  opened  a  door  for  their  usefulness.  The  death  of 
*  Dr.  Coke,  instead  of  proving  the  ruin  of  the  mission,  seems 
to  have  been  overruled  greatly  for  the  furtherance  of  it." 

March  23d  he  gratefully  notices  the  progress  which  he 
had  been  enabled  to  make  in  his  great  work,  saying  :  "  I 
bless  God,  I  this  morning  finished  my  Commentary  on  the 
Old  Testament ;  having  been  employed  in  it  since  the 
latter  end  of  the  year  1809,  and  not  having  a  line  written 
before.  The  Lord  has  graciously  assisted  me,  and  pre- 
served me  in  health,  though  I  have  been  generally  em- 
ployed at  it  from  five  in  the  morning  till  nine  or  ten  at 
night ;  and  frequently  have  not  gone  out  of  the  chapel-yard 
during  the  whole  week,  except  on  the  Lord's  day,  when  1 
always  have  preaching  and  walking  enough.  What  rea- 
son have  I  to  praise  the  Lord  for  his  goodness  !" 


LIKE  OK  JOSEPH  BENSON.         243 

October  1th  Mrs.  Mather,  one  of  Mr.  Benson's  daugh- 
ters, after  having  bad  DO  DM  of  her  feet  for  more  than 
twelve  months,  obtained  sndi  sudden  r«li.  I.  in  ynm  to 
prayer  offered  to  God  on  DOT  behalf  by  her  father  and  an- 
other minister,  that  she  was  enabled,  in  an  instant,  to  rise 
and  walk  as  if  she  liad  never  0660  a  fleet  ■  d  hy  laui' 
Her  father,  061  husband,  Mrs.  Dickinson.  Mrs.  Too- 
Mr.  Macdonald,  were  0166601  on  the  occasion.  They  all 
believed  that  the  power  to  walk  which  she  suddenly 
reeeivcd  fig  conuiiunieated  by  an  immediate  act  of  (  >m- 
nipotence.  That  extraordinary  interpOpitiOM  of  Provi- 
dence are  sometimes  vouchsafed,  in  answer  to  I. 
importunate  prayeffa,  ii  no  more  than  the  Scriptures  war- 
rant us  to  helii -v.-  :  "  The  prayer  of'  faith  shall  save  the 
sick."  By  the  prayer  of  faith  is  meant,  prayer  off.  red  in 
DUth;    tor  prayer  is  only  efficacious  when  if  I  with 

faith.      In  the  j)riinitive  times,  when  miracles  wire  in  their 

full  force  and  rigour,  the  affect  ii  always  ascribed  to  faith  : 

"  Thy  faith  liath  made  tine  wliole:"   "His  name,  hy  faith 
in  his  Dame,  hath  made  this  man  -  disciples, 

though  invested  w  ith  extraordinary  L'Hts,  could  not  cure  the 
lunatic  for  want  of  faith  :  M  1  bfOQght  him  to  thy  disciples, 
and  they  could  not  cure  him  :"  and  Christ  assured  them 
that  the  sole  reaaOD  why  their  etlorts  were  DDf 
was  their  unbelief ',  Many  instant  <s  are  on  record  of  per- 
sons batng  recovered  from  sickness.  ail,!  r«  stored  to  health, 
in  answer  to  believing  prayer:  and  Mr.  liens  .n.  who  was 
no  enthusiast,  attributed  the  removal  of'  his  daughter's 
lameness  to  the  interposition  of  God,  and  lie  gave  him  all 
the  L^iory. 

November  29tfa  the  novel  spectacle  of  a  royal  duke  in  a 
Methodist  chapel  was  exhibited  at  City-road.  Dr.  Collyer 
preached  a  sermon  there  in  aid  of  the  British  and  Foreign 
Schools  ;  and  the  duke  of  Kent,  together  with  the  lord 
mayor  and  other  distinguished  personages,  were  present 


244  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

on  the  occasion.  The  duke,  who  was  a  great  friend  of 
charitable  institutions,  conversed  condescendingly  and 
affably  with  those  individuals  who  waited  in  the  vestry  to 
receive  his  royal  highness.  The  crowd  that  assembled 
was  much  greater  than  the  chapel  could  contain.  "  The 
service,"  says  Mr.  Benson,  "  was  performed  in  a  very 
solemn  manner:  and  all  present  seemed  to  be  attentive. 
The  sermon  was  excellent ;  and  the  collection  amounted 
to  £117." 

March  14th,  1816,  being  at  Cambridge,  Mr.  Benson 
preached  in  the  little  Methodist  chapel  erected  about  half 
a  mile  from  the  town.  The  existence  of  that  chapel  is, 
under  God,  owing  to  William  Beacock,  a  plasterer.  He 
went  to  Cambridge  to  follow  his  business  ;  and  finding  the 
Methodists  few  in  number,  and  without  a  chapel,  he  deter- 
mined, if  practicable,  to  erect  one.  He  stated  this  to  some 
pious  friends,  from  whom  he  received  no  encouragement ; 
but  others,  entering  into  his  views,  rendered  him  every 
assistance  in  their  power.  In  the  spring  of  the  year  1815 
he  purchased  a  piece  of  ground,  and  agreed  for  building 
materials,  which  were  immediately  supplied.  He  proceed- 
ed to  build ;  toiled  most  indefatigably ;  and  soon,  to  the 
astonishment  of  all,  completed  the  chapel ;  having,  with 
his  own  hands,  and  frequently  without  the  help  of  a  la- 
bourer, done  the  work  of  bricklayer,  plasterer,  and  slater ; 
and  this  he  did  while  he  steadily  refused  to  make  any 
charge  whatever  for  his  labour ;  nay,  in  addition  to  this, 
he  subscribed  five  pounds.  This,  however,  the  trustees 
of  the  chapel  refused  to  accept,  and  made  him  a  small 
present,  which,  yielding  to  their  importunity,  he  accepted. 

Mr.  Benson  spent  a  part  of  the  following  day  in  viewing 
the  colleges  and  the  situation  of  Cambridge.  "  The  build- 
ings  in  general,"  he  observes,  "  are  inferior  to  those  of 
Oxford.  The  chapel,  however,  belonging  to  King's  Col- 
lege, is  a  very  beautiful  and  grand  building,  equal  certainly 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENS 

to  any  in  Oxford  ;  nay.  it  is  supposed  to  be  one  of  the 
flpjent  pieces  of  Gothic  architecture  now  remaining  in  the 
world."'      March  17th  he  I  three  times  at  the  auni- 

vtr-arv  of  the  Opening  of  tin-  chapel  at  Lynn.      T: ■ 
lowing  day  be   proceeded  to  8wafThara;  and  then 

Norwich,  and  to  Varmoutli  :  at  each  of  which  places  he 
preached  with  comfort  to  himself,  and  much  ftp] 

and  baring  leturned  to  Norwii  1,  he 

premched  there  thrice  on  die  24th,  to  one  his  own  i 

u  wiih  liberty  and  comfort." 

In  giving  an   account  of  the   annual  M  hich 

v  Id   tliis  year  in    London,  Mr.  BeSSOU    ni'ii'in: 

of  two  Prussian  ntin  na  of  the  sged  and  pious 

bishop  of  Berlin.     They  came  to  England,  chiefly,  to 

information  concerning  its  religious  institutions.      They 

hail  heard  maiiv  contradictor}    repOttl  cniici  rnii!Lr  th< 
thodistl  ;   and.  Wishing   for  certain   information 

them,  Mr.  Butterworth,  in  order  to  their  obtaining  it,  politely 

sent  them  in  his  carriage,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Hubert 
Newton,  to  City-road,  where  they  were  admitted  into  the 

conference  in  the  morning  of  August  10th.     The  confer- 
once    readily   and    affectionately  received  them;    ai, 
taking  their  seats,  they  were  ad  :rev>rd  by  Mr.  Reece,  the 

president,  on  the  nature  and  design  of  the  Methodic 
tution.      Mr.   BoMOn,    Mr.  Henry  Moore,   and    Dr.  Clarke 
spoke  to  them  on  the  ium  subject  ;  especially  i 

the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Methodists.  They  ap- 
peared to  he  highly  gratified  by  the  information  they  re- 
ceived ;  and  BipfQQBOd  a  hope  that  the  Methodists  would 
form  a  hand  of  union  between  the  truly  pious  of  tie 
blished  Church  and  those  among  the  Dissenters  of  differ- 
ent denominations.  They  gave  the  conference  an  account 
of  a  revival  of  vital  religion  m  PlOSBIS  and  in  (Germany. 

Novemhcr  3d  Mr.  Benson  preached  at  Southwark,  from 
John  iv,  23,  24.     The  following  are  his  reflections  on  the 


246  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

subject : — "  Alas  !  how  little  of  this  true  worship  is  there 
in  most  Christian  congregations !  How  much  formality, 
lukewarmness,  and  even  deadness !  How  little  adoration 
of  Jehovah's  matchless  glories  !  How  little  reverence  for 
his  boundless  power !  How  little  humiliation  and  abase- 
ment before  his  unspotted  purity,  and  impartial  justice ! 
How  little  confidence  in  his  never-failing  mercy !  How 
little  love  to  him  for  his  unspeakable  love  to  us  !  How  little 
sincere,  fervent  desire  for  the  blessings  we  ask  in  prayer, 
or  faith  in  God's  providence  respecting  them !  How  little 
gratitude  for  his  numberless  benefits,  when  we  give  him 
thanks !  And  in  hearing  his  word,  how  little  is  the  word 
received  in  faith,  and  in  the  love  of  it ;  and  how  many  are 
hearers  only  and  not  doers  of  the  word !" 

September  25th,  1817,  the  new  chapel  in  Great  Queen- 
street,  London,  was  opened  for  public  worship.  At  the 
request  of  the  trustees  and  stewards,  Mr.  Benson  preached 
in  it  in  the  forenoon  of  that  day,  from  Romans  i,  16.  "  The 
chapel,"  he  observes,  "  was  well  filled,  and  I  was  assisted 
in  speaking."  Mr.  R.  Newton  preached  in  the  afternoon, 
and  Mr .  R .  Watson  in  the  evening.  Of  both  their  discourses 
Mr.  Benson  speaks  in  strong  terms  of  approbation ;  and 
the  trustees,  stewards,  and  principal  persons  in  the  society 
requested  that  the  three  sermons  might  be  published. 

November  9th  Mr.  Benson  preached  a  sermon  in  South- 
wark  chapel,  on  account  of  the  sudden  and  much-lamented 
death  of  the  princess  Charlotte  of  Wales.  His  subject 
was  1  Peter  i,  24,  25.  This  led  him  to  speak  of  the  frailty 
of  man,  and  the  brevity  and  uncertainty  of  human  life  ;  and, 
toward  the  close  of  the  discourse,  he  related  some  anec 
dotes  very  favourable  to  the  character  of  the  deceased 
princess.  In  the  evening  of  that  day  he  delivered  a  ser- 
mon at  City-road  chapel,  on  account  of  the  death  of  Mrs 
Kruse,  a  very  pious  and  excellent  class-leader,  who  had 
for  fifty-nine  years  adorned  her  Christian  profession. 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  M0 

March  14th,  1818.  Mr.  Benson  gratefully  observes;  M  I 
thank  God  I  haw  now  completed  my  Commentary  on  the 
Bible,  undertaken  at  the  desire  of  the  ice  held  in 

Manchester,  A.  D.  1809,  and  began  in  November  of  that 

.    80  that  I  have  had  it  in  hand  a  Huh-  more  than  eight 

i ;  during  which  time,  I  have  generally  been  employ- 
ed upon  it,  and  the  Magazines  and  other  publications,  from 
five  in  the  morning,  winter  as  well  as  summer,  to  eleven 
at  night,  allowing  time  only  fox  m<  als.  Added  to  this, 
id  prayers  m  one  or  other  of  our 
chapels  once,  and  preached  tw  tee  in  London,  or  its  vicinity, 

and  frequently  have   walked  the    MOM   day.   Sight,   ten,  Of 
even  twelve  miles,  and  sometimes  fourteen  or  fi 
that,  certainly',  if  the  Lord  had  not  in  a  peculiar  d< 
strengthened  me.  it  would  ba  Ac  for  my 

feeble  frame  t<»  have  so  long  sustained  such  confinement, 
and  snob  Utsours.     1  l>elie\e  l  c i  that  God  has, 

in  a  singular  manner,  directed  me.  and.  given  DM  light  in 

his  word  ;    so  thai    I  tTUSl   1    liave  heen  ahle  in  |   3 

manner  to  explain   most  dillictilt  p  ami  to  L'ive,  in 

general,  the  tnn  the  dii  ine  oracles.    My  Labour  has 

heen  hard,  and  I   have  heen  in  iQUentl)  I  lor  time  ; 

hut  my  work  has  not  been  nupleanant,  hut  rather  delight- 
In]  ;    and  while  1   have  h-  IVOUling  to   edify  others, 

I  have  been  edified  myself.     To  God  he  all  the  ^lory." 

In  compliance  with  th-  -  of  ins  fi 

in  Hull,  he  attended  their  annual  nn-Monary  meeting,  held 

April  1 5th,  at  which  he  w  as  called  to  preside.    1 1 1 

II  I   endeavoured  to  show   the  great  importance  of  missions 

to  the  heathen,  and  to  such  of  our  essouii  i  a-  w< 
rate  of  evangelical  ministers,  and  the  Lrreat  i  which 

had  attended  the  labours  of  our  missionaries.     Many  very 
excellent  speeches  were  delivered  by  the  preachers  and 

oihers,  from  different  parts.     'The  chape]  was  Quite  crowd- 
ed, and  the  meeting  continued  five  hours." 


248  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Under  date  of  May  28th,  Mr.  Benson  mentions  the  death 
of  the  Rev.  George  Story,  who  had  died  a  few  days  pre- 
viously, in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age.  He  became  an 
itinerant  preacher  among  the  Methodists  in  the  year  1762; 
and  thirty  years  after  was  appointed  editor  of  the  Method- 
ist Magazine,  and  then  superintendent  of  the  conference 
printing-office.  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  knowledge, 
and  of  eminent  piety. 

November  1st  Mr.  Benson,  at  the  City-road  chapel,  in- 
forms us,  that  in  preaching  from  Hebrews  xii,  16,  he  spoke 
very  strong  things,  especially  when  adverting  to  the  case 
of  the  ungodly  children  of  religious  parents.  That  there 
are  so  many  of  that  unhappy  description  is  chiefly  owing 
to  their  not  having  been  favoured  with  a  sufficient  degree 
of  personal  religious  instruction,  nor  subjected  to  proper  dis- 
cipline. This  is  a  subject  which  merits  the  serious  at 
tention  of  all  parents,  and  especially  of  those  who  are 
professedly  religious.  They  are  under  peculiar  obligations 
to  train  up  their  children  in  the  way  they  should  go ;  and 
that  this  is  practicable,  may  be  inferred  from  the  precept. 
God  enjoins  nothing  that  he  does  not  communicate  the 
power  to  perform.  There  may  be  instances,  in  which 
Christian  parents  may  seem  to  have  laboured  in  the  work 
of  education  in  vain,  and  to  have  spent  their  strength  for 
naught.  The  children  for  whom  they  have  wept,  and 
prayed,  and  laboured,  may  have  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  their 
instructions,  and  poured  contempt  upon  their  admonitions. 
But  how  rare  are  such  instances !  The  want  of  success 
is  more  frequently  attributable  to  the  dereliction  of  duty, 
on  the  part  of  the  parent,  than  to  an  incorrigible  obstinacy 
on  the  part  of  the  child.  Pious  and  well-directed  efforts 
in  the  educational  department  must,  to  a  certain  extent, 
meet  with  success  ;  and  it  is  very  questionable,  whether 
there  are  any  instances  on  record  of  persons  dying  in  an 
unconverted  state  who  had  been  brought  up  by  their  parents 


LI  YE  OK  Jus  I  PH  I I E  N 1 0  ft  Ml 

iu  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord.  Duties  sightly 
discharged  can  never  be  wholly  fruitless.  They  have 
often  a  reaction  upon  our  own  spirits,  eren  when  they  Gail 
to   answer   the   direct  end   for  which  gned. 

Parents  are  not  always  permitted  to  see  the  (roil  of  their 
labouri  in  thia  world.  God  may,  for  reasons  known  only 
to  him*  If,  conceal  this  from  them.     Some  base 

rowing  to  the  grave,  and  have  had  their  last  moment*,  nn- 

bittered  by  the  fearful  foreboding  that  their  children 
treasuring  np  for  themselTes   wrath  against  the  day  of 

wrath,  and  the  nv«  lation  of  the  righteoni  judgment  of 
Grod ;    and    \<t   those   children    have    risen  up  and   Messed 

the  memories  of  their  pe  o  when  the  tongues  that 

had  poured  benedictions  upon  them  were  cold  in  d< 

and  the  liamU  thai  had  guided  their  infant  Iteps   had  for- 
gotten their  cunni  a 
January  17th.  1819,  having  to  edit  ••  Aradt's  True  ( hris- 

tiamtv,"   Mr.  ]',•  -rand  point  which 

Arndt  insists  on.  and  whicli  is  undoubtedly  sccording  m 
Scripture,    is,   that   the  very  i  of  ('hrisi.  i 

conformity  to  the  life  of  Christ;  with  which  the  lives  of 
most  professing  Christians  are  utterly  at  variance,  being 

earthly  and  carnal,  and.  loo  generally,  devilish  si 

Mr.  Benson  now   (ell  the  uwrsoitiea  oi   sgs  creeping 

slowly,    but    perceptibly,    upon    him.       11«     had    passed   his 

seventieth  year;  and  bii  love  for  quiet  and  retirement  in- 
cr»  ased  with  bia  years  :    but,  after  much  hesitation,  he 

was  prevailed  upon  to  attend  the  conference,  which  was 
this  year  held  in  Bristol;  and  it  was  the  last  conference 
he  was  ever   permitted  to   attend.      Sunday,  July  36th,  he 

preached  twice  at  Bath:  and  the  following  Dsofning  he 

went  on  to  Bristol,  where  he  obsen  BS  :  u  1  was  \crv  BgSSe* 
ably  accommodated  at  Mr.  Hall's,  and  happy  in  the  com- 
pany of  all  the  four  preachers  they  entertained  besides 
myself."     On  the  morning  of  August  1st  he  preached  m 


250  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

St.  Philip's  chapel.  Most  of  the  preachers  were  present, 
and  a  very  large  congregation.  "  The  Lord,"  says  he, 
"  greatly  assisted  me  in  explaining  and  applying  2  Cor.  ii, 
14-16."  The  following  Sunday  evening  he  preached  in 
King-street  chapel,  to  a  very  crowded  congregation  of 
preachers  and  people,  from  Col.  i,  27,  28.  The  confer- 
ence having  concluded  on  the  evening  of  August  11th,  he 
set  out  from  Bristol  on  the  12th,  and  arrived  in  London 
about  noon  the  following  day. 

October  21st  he  says  :  "  Having  been  greatly  weakened 
by  a  distressing  complaint,  three  weeks  ago,  which  con- 
tinued near  a  fortnight,  and  the  weather  setting  in  very 
cold  and  stormy,  I  have  found  myself  very  chilly,  and  un- 
able to  bear  it,  as  I  used  to  do,  being  now  almost  seventy- 
two  years  of  age.  May  I  remember,  and  prepare  for,  my 
departure  out  of  time  into  eternity."  A  few  days  after  he 
adds  :  "  I  have  found  it  very  profitable  to-day  to  review 
my  whole  past  life,  and  humble  myself  before  God,  for  my 
numerous  failings,  both  as  a  Christian  and  a  minister  of 
Christ.  I  hope,  however,  my  eye  has  been  single,  and 
my  heart  upright  before  God,  during  all  the  years  I  have 
been  employed  in  his  work  ;  and,  indeed,  from  the  time  of 
my  conversion  in  1765."  November  14th  he  was  unable 
to  attend  his  appointment  at  City-road.  Mr.  Watson  took 
his  place  in  the  morning,  and  Mr.  Bunting  in  the  evening ; 
when  collections  were  made  in  aid  of  the  Sunday  schools. 
"  Doubtless,"  says  Mr.  Benson,  "  through  this  change,  a 
much  greater  collection  has  been  obtained  than  I  should 
have  gotten,  who  have  frequently  preached  at  this  and 
our  other  chapels  these  nineteen  years." 

December  19th  he  thus  expresses  himself:  "  My  chief 
concern  is,  and  I  trust  will  be  to  my  dying  day,  to  live  to 
God  myself,  and  to  induce  as  many  others  as  possible  to 
live  to  him.  Lord,  teach  my  ignorance,  and  help  my 
weakness,  and  give  thy  blessing  to  my  endeavours  to  show 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON  3M 

forth  thy  praise,  and  glorify  thee  in  ami  with  my  bod\ 
spirit,  winch  arc  thine;  m  my  body,  by  to mperance,  chas- 
titv,  purity  :  and  with  my  body,  by  employing  all  it-  acta* 
rod  erery  degree  of  health  ami  strength  which  thou 
:iy  glory  :    in  my  -pint,  by  humility,  r- 
patience,  contentment,   meek  !'len»-ss.  and  kmg- 

BmTering,  benevolence,  faith,  hop.-.  love,  an 
and  with  my  spirit,  by  using  my  onderstanding,  jadguiont, 
memory ,  const  ms,  and  all  my  fact 

to  thy  honour  and  prat- 

December  25th,  though  unable  to  preach,  yet  he  v. 
thus  :    "It   !-.   !   befiere,  the  first    and   only  Christmas 
these  fifty  years  in  which  1  hare  not  preached  at 
once;  but,   indeed,   I    hi  erallj   preached  twi< 

tin--  blessed  day.  and  not  seldom  three  times.  Thanks  be 
to  the  Lord,  for  giving  me  health  and  strength  so  l<»nLr; 
and  may  he  enable  inc.  with  patience  and.  on,  to 

bear  this  trying  dispensation  tf  Ins'  pruvid-  I  may 

he    sruictll'\    It    to   111' 

The  following  day  In-  preached  oner  at  Qm 
chapel ;  and  after  dining  and  spending  a  comfortable  bour 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butterworth,  he  walked  hone,  but  ho 
was  \,  r\  much  fatigued  before  h<  The 

effects  of  the  coldness  of  the  air.  joined  to  his  .  v 
through  the  day.  were,  thai  he  i  rithont 

intermission  throughout  the  ni<_*ht.  ami  ho  was  unable  to 
sleep  i  single  moment.  Most  ol  the  three  following  nights 
he  slept  very  little  ;  and  the  consequence  was,  that  Ida 

mind  was  considerably  depressed.      M  Howe\er,"  b« 

"  I  ha\c  been  enabfc  .  from  the  heart,  to  my  merci- 

ful  Preaorfer,  who  careth  for  me  and  all  his  clnlilren, 

*  Father,  thy  will  be  done.'  *' 

December  31sl  he  obsenres  :  "  The  Lord  has  mercifully 
preserved  me  to  see  the  last  day  of  the  year,  though  in  a 
state  of  greater  affliction,  and  longer  continued,  than  I  ever 


252  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

before  experienced.  I  have  employed  much  of  the  day  in 
examining  myself  respecting  the  present  state  of  my  soul, 
and  my  whole  past  life,  and  my  prospects  with  respect  tc 
eternity.  I  have  seen  many  things  in  my  spirit  and  con- 
duct, from  my  youth,  for  which  I  have  great  reason  to  be 
abashed  before  God,  and  on  account  of  which  I  am 
ashamed  and  humbled ;  and  yet  I  thank  God  I  have,  I 
hope,  had  my  conversation  in  the  world  in  simplicity  and 
godly  sincerity ;  aiming  to  glorify  God,  and  serve  my 
generation  according  to  his  will.  I  have  not  pursued,  in 
whole  or  in  part,  the  riches,  honours,  or  pleasures  of  the 
world,  or  a  life  of  ease ;  but  I  have  laboured  to  be  useful, 
relying  on  the  Lord  for  his  blessing,  which,  blessed  be  his 
name,  he  has  not  withheld,  but  rendered,  I  trust,  my 
preaching  and  writing  a  means  of  spiritual  good  to  many. 
Nevertheless,  so  much  imperfection  has  accompanied  all 
my  endeavours  to  do  good,  that  I  have  great  reason  to  say 
to  the  Lord,  '  Not  unto  me,  but  unto  thy  name,  be  the 
praise  ;  and  it  is  of  thy  mercy  that  I  am  not  consumed.' 
I  have  also  looked  back  on  the  mercies  of  the  year ;  and 
have  seen  great  reason  to  acknowledge,  with  respect  to 
myself  and  all  my  children  and  children's  children,  the 
superintending  care  and  guidance  of  a  gracious  Providence, 
which  has  watched  over  me  and  mine  ;  and,  in  answer  to 
prayer,  has,  time  after  time,  interposed  for  my  direction  in 
difficulties,  succour  in  temptations,  and  support  in  trials  and 
troubles.  My  heart  has  been  impressed  with  sentiments 
of  gratitude,  and  I  have  endeavoured  to  devote  myself  to 
God  afresh ;  to  live,  if  spared  on  earth,  more  to  his  glory. 
My  soul  has  been  drawn  out  to  him  in  prayer  for  grace 
to  enable  me  to  do  so." 

For  more  than  six  weeks  Mr.  Benson  was  unable  to 
preach;  but  on  the  forenoon  of  February  13th,  being  in 
some  degree  restored  to  health,  he  preached  at  the  City- 
road  chapel,  when  he  "  was  favoured  with  strength,  both 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  253 

of  body    and    Bind,    and   much  liberty    of   apoech."      His 

anbjeci  was  Rom.  w.   i.     ••  1  chose  thia  I  ra  be, 

"  partly  wit}i  a  vien  on  in  their 

faitli  in  tin-  certain  truth  and  infinite  importance  ot  the  Scnp- 
turo,  in  Opposition  to  tin-  infidel  principles  w  bich 

m  dulously  propagated  of  lata  in  town  and  country." 
Tbia  year  lie  omitted  to  attend  which 

was    held    in    Liverpool,   tli((iiL'h   athctionately   invited    by 

the  presidenl  ;uni  -■  cretary  ;  alleging,  among  other  rea- 
son-, that  he  araa  "not  in  10  confirmed  a  atate  of  health  aa 
t.»  justify"  him  in  "taking  so  long  a  journey  as  that  (torn 
London  to  I  .n  erpool  would 

.Inly  30th  he  preached  in  the  morning  at  Hinde-ai 
chapel,  and  in  the  evening  ;»t  City-road.     II.-  U  v  at  the 
latter  place  m  aa  Romai 

M  1    bless    the    Lord,  tli.it    be    st lengthened    llie    both    ill   body 

and  mind,  and  enabled  me  to  bear  a  clear,  and.  1  believe, 
a  true  ami  Scriptural  testimony  to  tin  retry  important  doc- 
trine contained  in  the  text 

( >ct<i!>er  29th,  on  his  w  ay  to  I  [inde-atreet,  a  here  he  bad 
an  appointment  t.»  preach,  he  iras  aeiied  in  <  »\i.-r.i- 
with  sncli  a  weakneea  in  hia  legs,  that,  in  order  to  pr< 
his  falling,  he  was  obliged  to  take  hold  of  tin-  rail*  I 
the  bouses.     Hut,  notwithstanding  bis   great    areas 
he.    leaning   on   the    arm  of  a  friend,  proceeded  to  the 
chapel;    and    harinj  in   the  vestry  till  after  tin; 

prayers  were  read,  be  found  his  strength  so  recruited  that 

is  abb-  to  preach  with  liberty  and  comfort.      His  sub- 
ject waa  Romans  \.  l.     On  the  morning  of  November 5th 

he  walked  to  ( iainsf  >rd-st  reel,  and  preached,  but  on  the 
two  following  Sundays  he  was  confined  to  his  DOUSi 
affliction.  November  26th,  leing  a  little  better,  he  ven- 
tured to  walk  to  "\\  alwOTth  ;  where,  he  says,  he  "  was  abb; 
to  preach  without  difficulty,  yea,  with  comfort  and  enlarge- 
ment, from  Phil,  i,  9-11." 


254  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

With  this  sermon  he  concluded  his  public  ministry ;  a 
ministry  in  which  he  had  been  engaged  for  about  half  a 
century,  and  which  had  been  sanctioned  and  blessed  by 
the  great  Head  of  the  church  to  the  edification  of  thou- 
sands and  tens  of  thousands  of  immortal  souls.  But  it 
does  not  appear  that  he  at  all  suspected  that  his  public 
work  was  done  ;  for  two  months  subsequently,  in  a  letter 
to  Mr.  Entwisle,  he  says :  "  I  thank  God,  I  have  been 
greatly  relieved,  and  enabled  to  go  on  regularly  with  my 
work  in  my  study,  as  editor ;  but  I  am  far  from  being  per- 
fectly restored,  having,  for  several  weeks,  been  very  much 
distressed  with  a  very  afflictive  cough,  which  has  caused 
me  to  have  sleepless  nights,  and  has  prevented  my  gaining 
strength.  I  hope,  however,  if  it  should  please  God  to  give 
us  a  little  milder  weather,  so  that  I  could  get  out,  and  take 
the  benefit  of  the  air,  I  shall  gradually  get  quit  of  my  cough, 
and  obtain  proper  rest  in  sleep  by  night,  which  would 
greatly  relieve  me." 

Mr.  Benson's  health  had  been  declining  for  some  time 
past.  He  was  more  or  less  affected  with  a  cough,  accom- 
panied by  fever,  and  occasionally  was  subject  to  faintings  ; 
and  dropsical  symptoms  appeared  in  his  hands  and  feet ; 
but  he  continued  to  perform  his  full  work,  as  editor,  till 
within  three  weeks  of  his  death.  During  his  last  illness 
he  occasionally  said  :  "  I  shall  not  be  long  here.  How 
many  have  I  known  that  are  gone  into  eternity!  Many 
more  than  I  know  upon  earth."  In  his  family  devotions 
he  often  prayed  with  much  fervour  that  he  might  have  for- 
titude and  resignation  sufficient  to  bear  his  increasing 
afflictions  ;  and  though  no  longer  able  to  preach,  he  endea- 
voured to  be  useful  by  his  pen,  even  when,  through  extreme 
debility,  it  frequently  fell  from  his  hand. 

Having  visited  one  of  his  daughters,  who  was  very  ill, 
he  said :  "  My  love,  I  have  been  praying  for  you  this 
morning.     While  in  prayer,  I  was  low  and  dejected ;  but 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  255 

in  walking  here,  I  b  i  particularly  comforted."    He 

then    tpekfl   of  bet   peal    affliction,    and  of  the  najBTj 
liveranos    which  God   had  vouchsafed  to  her  ;    bringing 
be?  to  the  borden  ol   the  gimve,  and  then  raising  her  up 
again.     Abowl  ■  w»«'k   after  he  paid  hor  nether  visit; 
when  be  ami  ao  ei  y  the  walk,  as  to  be  scarcely 

able  to  speak.     Baring roeoyerod a  little atrength he  - 
44  My  dear,  yon  are  men  in  th«-  way  rourmethet  wm 

been  thinking  orach  this  morning  of  h<  -ion." 

And,  after  enlarging  ujH)n  the  subject,  he  said  :  ••  I  have 
no   doubt    tin-    Lord    will    restore  \mi."      I ! « -   dw.lt    nnirh 

upon  being  willing  to  roller,  at  well     -  the  will  of 

Cod 

Decern!  luppoaing  her  to  be  near  death,  dm 

ber  another  riaii     Their  <■<  acting  ami 

profitable  ;  turning  opoo  the  rabj<  I  il  resign 

and   that   of  Christians   carrying  their   ni'i  • 

God  in  beliering  prayer.     He  spok. 
Christ,  and  encouraged  her  to  beliere   in  bis  power  t* » 
■•■  her.     He  dwelt  particiihuiy  on  the  i  connection  of 

Hid  on  OOr    Lord's   words    to    Martha:     '-Said    I 
not  unto  thee,  that,  if  thou  WOOldeOl   believe,  thou  should- 

■  .■  the  Lrl"  !  "*     He  afterward  said  to  her: 

'•  Well,  lore,   1  do  not  know  which  of  us  will  go  fin 
think  that  1   shall."      u  I  >  :m>  '    I  .::■  :."'  she  replied,  "  I  think 

:  die  first.*     !!«•  then  nmeh 

comforted  in  prayer  respecting  you.  and  haw  no  doubt 
that  Cod  will  comfort  you  after  your  time  of  trial;"  and 
added,   that   she   most   exercise   faith   in    the    promises  of 

God. 

January  11th,   1831,  at  the  ean  Mr.  Allan, 

lie  was  taken  in  a  coarh  to  consult    Dr.   Baillie  reap 
his  health.      The  doctor  was  of  opinion  that  his  complaint 
arose  from  a  general  disruption  of  his  natural  constitution, 
hastened  by  too  close  application  to  study,  and  too  abste- 


256  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

mious  habits.  He  prescribed  for  him  some  tonic  medi- 
cines, which,  after  a  fortnight's  trial,  were  found  to  be 
unproductive  of  any  good  effect.  January  13th  he  men- 
tioned to  Mr.  Bunting  the  necessity  of  his  soon  resigning 
his  office  as  editor,  and  requested  him  immediately  to 
undertake  the  publication  of  the  remaining  part  of  the 
"  Christian  Library."  This  Mr.  Bunting  engaged  to  do 
for  him,  until  the  ensuing  conference  should  appoint  his 
successor  in  the  editorial  department.  Two  days  after, 
Mr.  Atmore  called  to  see  him,  and  was  much  affected  to 
find  him  so  much  depressed  both  in  body  and  mind.  That 
night  he  retired  to  bed  in  an  extremely  weak  and  feeble 
state,  and  appeared  to  have  slept  well  till  early  in  the 
morning,  when  he  was  seized  with  a  fainting  fit,  which 
suspended  the  use  of  his  animal  functions.  As  soon  as  he 
became  sensible,  he  with  difficulty  called  for  help,  having 
before  struggled  without  effect  to  help  himself.  He 
recovered,  however,  so  far  as  to  be  able  to  sit  up  to  break- 
fast ;  one  of  the  family  having  assisted  in  dressing  him 
that  morning,  for  the  first  time  during  his  illness. 

January  27th  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marsden  visited  him.  "  At 
first,"  says  Mr.  Marsden,  "  he  appeared  low  ;  but  he  gradu- 
ally revived.  He  said,  that  the  only  foundation  on  which  he 
could  rest  was,  '  By  grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith  ;  and 
that  not  of  yourselves  :  it  is  the  gift  of  God.'  He  added, 
that  he  had  been  accustomed  to  examine  himself  daily,  as 
to  his  motives,  conduct,  and  the  employment  of  his  time  ; 
and  he  could  say,  that  he  had  endeavoured  to  do  the  will 
of  God ;  and  that  he  had  never  sought  money,  or  honour, 
or  power.  Speaking  of  his  weakness,  he  remarked  that  it 
required  great  grace  to  be  willing  to  be  laid  aside  as  a  bro- 
ken pitcher."  Mrs.  Marsden  mentioned  that  nearly  thirty 
years  before  this  period,  she  had  received  her  first  lasting 
religious  impressions  under  his  ministry.  He  replied, 
"  The  former  things  are  passed  away."     After  a  little  time 


LIFK  OF  JOSEPH 

spent  in  conversation,  Mr.  Marsdea,  at  his  requj 
with  bim,  and  departed. 

January  28th  Mr.  an  1  Mrs.  Bulmex  called  to  aee  him  ; 
to    whom    he  tpoki  elingly  of  the  rapiditj 

which  his  strength  had  declined.     M  A  little  while 
said  he,  M  I  could  walk  ko  prich  and  back,  to  i 

lord  and   l»;n  k.  U)   Hindi  and  bark,  and 

preach  ;  and  feel  aa  little  fatigue  en  my  return,  as  nrhen  L 

I •  -It  home  :    now    1    i  the    room,  or    \salk 

down  Btaira,  a  ii bout  b gsistance!     Tin  Idea  ; 

hut  perhaps  1  boasted  too  much  of  my  strength."     ll 
oaeerved,  thai  when  be  enjoyed  strength  he  had  need  it  to 
good  purpose;   to  which  he  replied:    "It  iras  indeed  a 
ground  of  greal  satisfaction  to  bim,  that  he  had  uniformly 
eajdesvoured  to  promote  tin-  glorj  •  ©d  of 

souls  ;  and  though  if  eras  not  the  ground  of  his  eonneV 
(lor,  said  be,  '  Bj  grace  «<■  are  saved,')  yet  In-  felt  com- 
fort from  the  consciousness,  that  from  the  commencement 
of  bis  ministry,  though  sensible  of  much  infirmity  and  im- 
perfection, be  bad  never  been  influenced  by  any  sinister 
or  private  motive  :  had  it  been  otherwise,  be  should  bare 
leit  very  uneasy  now."'  The  following  day  Mrs.  riowdea 
1  him,  to  whom  h«  Lioot  interruption  for  half 

an  hour,  on  the  beat  means  <•!  retaining  justifying  faith, 
and  of  growing  in  grace.  These  meana,  said  be,  wi  • 
constant  s»  li-dtnial.  taking  op  the  daily  cross,  perscveriag 
prayer,  and  entire  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  exempli- 
fied by  patience  in  suffering.  \t  another  time,  when  ska 
mentioned  to  him  the  privilege  which  she,  in  cososnon  with 

thoUSSnds,  bad  enjoyed,  of  Sitting  under  his  heart-searching 
ministry,  he  replied,  it  WSS  now  no  more  to  him  than  il  he 

had  never  preached  one  sermon.     Mrs,  Howden  replied, 

that  though  it  might  be  nothing  in  his  eyes,  yet  that  those 
who  had  been  so  much  editicd  by  his  ministry,  could  not 
but  be  grateful  to  him  as  an  instrument  used  by  the  God  of 


258  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

all  grace  to  promote  their  spiritual  interests  ;  and  though 
they  could  never  claim  any  blessing  on  the  ground  of 
their  own  merit,  yet  God  himself  had  said  that  they  should 
be  rewarded  according  to  their  works.  To  all  this  he 
briefly  replied,  "  God  will  judge  righteous  judgment." 

February  1st.  Miss  Wesley,  who  called  upon  him,  says, 
respecting  her  visit :  "  It  was  very  short,  as  I  saw  his 
weakness,  and  inclination  to  sleep.  But  he  was  perfectly 
himself,  and  looked  composed  and  tranquil.  He  said  it  was 
a  great  satisfaction  to  him  now,  that  he  had  glorified  God 
in  his  youth ;  that  he  often  thought  of  my  dear  father's 
last  lines,  written  a  short  time  before  his  departure :  and 
he  began  to  repeat  them  : — 

1  In  age  and  feebleness  extreme, 
Who  shall  a  sinful  worm  redeem  V 

He  then  paused,  as  recollecting ;  and  I  added  the  follow- 
ing lines : — 

1  Jesus,  my  only  hope  thou  art, 
Strength  of  my  failing  flesh  and  heart ; 
0  could  I  catch  a  smile  from  thee, 
And  drop  into  eternity  !' 

He  appeared  to  take  my  visit  very  kindly.  I  reminded 
him  of  my  father's  attachment  to  him,  of  which  he  seemed 
to  have  a  lively  recollection." 

February  5th,  it  being  a  very  fine  day,  after  having 
transacted  some  business  with  Mr.  Cordeux,  who  gene- 
rally came  after  breakfast  to  consult  him  respecting  arti- 
cles for  the  Magazines,  and  for  which  he  yet  provided 
copy,  though  it  was  within  eleven  days  of  his  death  ;  one 
of  his  daughters  proposed  a  walk  to  him,  which  he  accom- 
plished with  much  difficulty.  This  was  the  last  time  he 
ever  left  his  house.  In  the  course  of  conversation  with 
some  friends  in  the  afternoon,  the  question  was  proposed, 
whether  a  deviation  from  unreserved  obedience  would  pro- 
duce something  like  regret  even  in  heaven.     With  great 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN  -  M6 

solemnity.  Mr.  Benaou  -  1  accepts  us  not  for  our 

obedience,  but  for  die  aacrificial  atonement  of  his  Son: 
'There  ii  no  condemnation  to  them  who  00  in  Christ 
Jeene.'     He  irill  my,  '  I  do  not  condemn  tl.- 

February  7th,  in  attempting  to  rise,  between  three  ami 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  he  fell,  ami  so  cut  his  head,  that 
the  wound  bled  much.  From  this  time  he  became  risibly 
weaker  erery  day ;  ami  oft!:.  >le,  thathe 

said  shortly  after,  he  would  never  again  attempt  to 
without  aaaiatance,  ami  tint  he  should  me  to 

sleep  near  him.     February  9th  Mr.  II  nted  him; 

ami   on    mquiring   how  he    felt,  he  Bald:    "  I   thank  Qod,   1 

fe*l  no  pain  either  in  body  or  mind."     The  following  day 

he  was  |0  mmh  WOme  at  tO  be  unahle  to  gl 

but  in  the  OOtme  of  the  day  he  mid  :    "  <  rod   i-  our  :• 

and  strength,  a  very  present  belp  in  the  time  of  trouble." 
M  We  may  aaaure  ourselves  that  God  does  all  things  well. 

1  am  daily  and  hourly  COnOcioWJ  of  my  nun  weakness.      It 

ii  our  duty  to  acameace  in  the  will  of  Qod  bj 
ami  resignation.     We  are  called  not  only  to  do  hut  to  - 
the  will  of  Cod." 

••In  the  afternoon,*'  says   Mr.  4tmore,  "he  ha-1 

siderahle  fever  UpOO  him.  and  bifl  .  -will- 

ed.     IK'  was  (juite   recollected.       l-i.l:     •>:;".   w.     are   pour 

creaturee  when  God  lays  his  hand  upon  ae.'  lie  replied, 
with  greai   emphasis:    » Yea,  when   he  towcheth  us,  ho 

inaketh  us  to  COasume  away.  like  M  a  moth  lie.ieth  a  <_rar- 
ini'iit.'  1  afterward  aaid  !  '  1  have  a  Letter  of  your>.  written 
fifty-five   years  a<:<>,  which  I   was    reading   the   other   day. 

What  a  mercy  that  you  have  been  anaWed  to  he  faithful 

from  that  time  to  the  present ''      He  said:    '    \-toui\ 
faithful,   I   leave  that  to  (iod:    he  will  lie  my  Judge <      He 
knows  that  1  have  aimed  at  being  faithful,  and  hi 
him  in  the  simplicity  of  my  heart.'     1  then  said:  '  Your  only 
ground  of  consolation  now  is,  not  what  you  have  done  for 


260  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

God,  but  what  he  has  done  for  you.'  He  answered :  ■  I 
am  saved  by  grace  alone,  through  faith.'  I  then  said : 
1  There  is  no  other  foundation  than  that  which  God  hath 
laid  in  Zion.'  He  answered :  '  No,  there  needs  no  other ; 
that  is  quite  sufficient.'  " 

Sunday,  February  11th,  he  was  almost  wholly  silent. 
The  following  day  he  was  removed,  though  with  great 
difficulty,  at  his  own  request,  from  his  bed-room  into  his 
study,  on  the  same  floor.  To  his  afflicted  daughter  he 
sent  this  message :  "  That  she  receive  with  patience, 
and  resignation  to  the  divine  will,  the  present  dispensation 
of  God  to  us,"  (referring  to  himself  and  her,)  "  saying, 
Good  is  the  will  of  the  Lord."  Having  been  unable  for 
some  time  to  pray  with  his  family  in  the  evening,  that  duty 
devolved  on  another  member  of  it;  but  at  the  earnest 
entreaty  of  his  children  present,  who  thought  it  might  be 
the  last  time  they  should  hear  him,  this  evening  he  added  : 
"  Answer  the  petitions  which  have  now  been  offered  up. 
May  we  confide  in  thy  wisdom,  and  experience  the  influ- 
ence of  thy  Spirit !  May  our  hope  be  in  thee  !  Prepare 
us  for  whatever  thou  hast  prepared  for  us."  These  were 
the  last  words  of  prayer  which  he  audibly  expressed. 

Tuesday,  February  13th,  apprehensions  were  entertain- 
ed that  he  might  expire  in  the  course  of  the  night ;  and 
hence,  during  the  principal  part  of  it,  his  family  watched 
with  him.  They  requested  him,  if  possible,  to  express  his 
present  views  concerning  the  faith  he  had  maintained 
through  life.  His  son  John  asked :  "  Do  you  now  feel 
the  virtue  of  that  atonement  which  removes  the  sting  of 
death  ?  and  can  you  say,  *  I  thank  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  given  us  the  victory  V  "  He  an- 
swered :  "  You  know,  John,  these  are  the  truths  which  I 
have  testified  for  many  years."  "  Then,  father,"  he  rejoin- 
ed, "  you  know  in  whom  you  have  believed,  and  are  as- 
sured that  he  will  keep  that  which  you  have  committed  to 


LIFE  OF  JOSKFH  BENSON;  261 

him  against  that  day  ?"     He  replied:  "Yes."     Hi-  i 
daughter  said :  "  Do  you  not  wish  otto  follow  yon,  uyw 
have  followed  Christ?"     "Certainly,"  said 

After  this  int.  rview  some  of  the  family  retired  to  real  j 
bat  were  called  u{>  about  three  o'clock,  wham,  an  account 
of  Ins  breathing  more  short  and  with  greater  difficulty,  a 
speedy  change  was  expected  :  but  <>n  taking  - 
ami  wine,  however,  he  revived  ■  little. 

February  1  ith,  i)r.(  llarke,  Mr.  Banting,  and  Mr.  Richard 
Smith  visited  him.  Hr.  Clarke,  who  appeared  rerymach 
affected  at  seeing  him,  said  :  u.  \  on  know-  me,  Mr  >-'  11. 
answered:  "  O  yea, — it  i  —  Dr.  Clarke"  M  Well,  air,  you 
air  not  far  irom  the  kingdom  of  our  God."  He  replied: 
'•  I  am  not  only  not  fsr  from  tin-  kingdom  of  our  God,  but 
I  am  sure  of  finding  God  in  that  kingdom.     I  am  break" 

Lag  very  fast,  and  shall  do  SO  mOM  and  more"     1  >r.  (  S,  said  : 

"You  have  an  all-sufficient  and  almighty  Saviour;  sad 
you  now  maintain  your  trust  m  him."  He  replied  :  **Yee." 
The  doctor  then  prayed  with  him;  after  which  he 
"You  feel  the  power  of  those  great  truths  which  you 
have  tor  so  manj  years  rally  declared  to  us :  we  have  not 
followed  a  cunningly  devised  Gable."  He  answered  :  ••  No 
— no  :  I  have  no  hope  <>r  being  saved  but  by  grace  through 
faith.     I  still  feel  the  need  of  the  renewing  influence  -  of 

*  Ilowm  ifaetory  it  may  be  to  sun  r  from 

the  dying  h|>s  of  theiz  departing  friends  taetimoi  • 
of  religion,  and  of  theiz  peraonal  interest*  in  thi 

yet,  conaidering  how  difficnlt  it  must  be  tor  pi  n  iggling 

in  the  agoniei  of  death,  to  give  utl  iny  thing  like  coherent 

convert  -'ions  ought  to  be  iperingiy  pot  to  them.     To  such  a 

man  as  Joseph  Benson,  whose  whole  lifi 

Christ,  to  put  searching  interrogations  concerning  the  state  of  h:- 
as  if  anv  doubt  could  be  entertained  concerning  his  final  bappineai 
set  -in  Buperfluona  and  unnecessary.     Men  generally  die  as  the] 
lived  ;  and  concerning  every  truly  pious  man  it  may  be  said, 
"  His  God  will  not  forsake  him  in  his  final  hour, 
His  filial  hour  brings  glory  to  his  God." 


262  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

his  Holy  Spirit."  To  Mr.  Bunting  he  said  :  "lam  very 
weak, — I  feel  my  infirmities  ;  I  feel  that  I  have  no  suffi- 
ciency for  any  thing  good  in  myself."  He  observed  also  : 
"  I  consider  that  we  must  not  only  be  pardoned  and  ac- 
cepted through  Christ,  but  also  for  his  sake,  and  by  his 
Spirit,  be  fully  renewed,  and  made  partakers  of  the  divine 
nature."  Mr.  Bunting  replied:  "You  now  realize  the 
great  truths  you  have  so  frequently  pressed  upon  us."  He 
answered  :  "  Yes  ! — 0  yes  !" 

February  15th  Mr.  Marsden,  after  praying  with  him, 
said :  "  The  Lord  has  long  been  your  refuge,  and  he  will 
be  with  you  and  bless  you."  He  replied :  "  I  trust  he  has, 
and  he  will."  And  on  the  remark  being  made,  that  he 
should  be  with  his  God,  to  behold  his  glory,  and  to  be  a 
partaker  of  it,  he  said  :  "  I  trust  I  shall."  This  night  he 
was  more  wakeful  than  usual,  but  too  weak  to  express 
himself  on  any  subject ;  but  his  mind  appeared  to  be  oc- 
cupied with  divine  things. 

February  16th,  in  the  morning,  when  asked  how  he  felt 
himself,  he  said :  "  I  think  I  am  as  I  have  been  all  the 
week."  After  taking  some  tea  he  was  seized  with  a  gene- 
ral tremor,  which  was  succeeded  by  very  difficult  respira- 
tion, with  a  noise  in  his  throat.  This  continued,  with 
little  abatement,  till  near  his  death.  His  eyes,  before  so 
clear,  and  capable  of  bearing  a  strong  light,  now  became 
dim,  his  mouth  dry,  and  his  countenance  more  pallid. 
When  his  mouth  was  moistened  with  some  liquid,  his 
breathing  was  almost  suspended.  About  seven  o'clock  in 
the  evening  he  began  to  breathe  more  gently  and  regularly  ; 
and  it  was  evident  that  he  was  near  his  end.  His  chil- 
dren stood  in  awful  silence,  expecting  the  event.  Having 
kneeled  down,  they  continued  in  silent  prayer  for  some 
minutes  ;  after  which  they  commended  his  departing  spi- 
rit into  the  hands  of  its  faithful  Creator.  A  little  after,  his 
breathing  ceased  for  some  minutes,  but  again  returned 


LIT};  OF  JOSEPH  263 

with  a  gentle  and  gradually  decreasing  tone,  till  at  length 

he  imperceptibly  expired. 

i  mortal  remains  were  interred  in  the  ground  adjoin- 
i  the  City-road  chapel,  on  Thursday,  February  22d, 
The  trustees  of  that  chapel  had  kindly  •  ipt 

■  wish  that  they  should  be  deposited  io  Mr.  U  -  aley*!  tomb. 
token  of  r<  ao  distinguished  b  man  ;  l»ut  his 

relatives  naturally  preferred  his  own  family  Ibout 

twelve  o'clock  the  corpae  was  broughi  into  the  rhapH.  and 

placed  before  the  pulpit,  preceded  by  afeeera.  Bunting  and 

Maraden,  the  preaideni  and 

and   by    I)r.   Clarke.   1  )r.    Hamilton,   and    Mr.    \  ;im  y  .    and 

followed  by  the  relatives  of  the  d<  by  twenty-four 

travelling  preachers,  by  about  twenty  gentlemen,  the  per- 
sonal friends  of  the  floccaaed,  an  :  lambei  oi 

preachers,    stewards.    : l 1 1 « 1    other   members   of   t] 

from  dill,  rent   paitl   of   London.       Mr.    BmtMg   conducted 

the  usual  aerviceboth  in  tho  chapel  and  at  the  grave.  l)r. 
Clarke  delivered  an  ■ddreaa  t«»  tin-  people  ■attrmhled  <>n 

the  occasion,  in   which   fa  I    mo-t    honour 

many  to  the  d<  i  mad  ■ehalex,  ■  pjofonurt  theo- 

logian, and  an  able  and  a  powerful  preacher.      Friday, 

March  2d,  ■  day  memorable  to  the  MethodiMs,  being  the 
anuivcrsarv  ol    Mr.  Weeley^S  death,  Mr.  Bunting  pr<  I 

a    funeral    sermon   on    1    Corinthians    x\.   29.      The    I 

alee  was  improved  in  moat  of  the  other  Methodist  chapels 
in  London,  on  Sunday,  March  4th;  and  most  of  the  oon- 
gregationi  testified  their  reaped  to  Mr.  Benaon's  memory 
by  appearing  in  niourning. 

On  bis  coffin,  upon  ■  large  brass  plate,  is  the  following 
inscription  : — 

108X1  in-    BBlfBON, 

JESU    CHRISTI    ECCLESIASTES, 

OB.    1G    FEBRIARII,    A.    I).    1821, 

ANNO    STATU    74, 


264  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

CHAPTER  X. 

THE  CHARACTER  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Observations  on  biography — Of  Mr.  Benson's  intellectual  powers — 
His  learning — Warm  and  ardent  in  his  temper — Grave  and  serious  in 
his  deportment — A  great  economist  of  time — Of  his  disinterestedness 
— His  compassion  toward  others — Love  to  his  children — Dr.  Bunting's 
description  of  him — Mr.  Kruse's  account  of  a  sermon  of  his  at  City- 
road  chapel — His  preaching  at  Saffron-hill  and  Clerkenwell-green — His 
pastoral  character — Love  for  Sunday  schools — Chosen  president  of  the 
Missionary  Society — Hartwell  Home's  opinion  of  his  Commentary. 

To  delineate  with  accuracy  the  intellectual  and  physical 
features  of  any  individual,  is  attended  with  considerable 
difficulty.  For  though  all  beings  of  the  human  species  are 
essentially  similar,  yet  such  is  the  inconceivable  variety  in 
the  works  of  God,  that  every  man  in  his  physical  struc- 
ture and  mental  capabilities  possesses  a  character  peculiarly 
and  exclusively  his  own.  But  the  shades  of  difference  in 
human  beings  are  frequently  so  minute  and  almost  imper- 
ceptible as  to  defy  delineation.  And  the  difficulty  of  de- 
scription is  proportionably  great,  as  the  object  rises  in 
moral  grandeur  above  the  ordinary  rank  of  mortals.  Com- 
mon and  every-day  things  can  be  portrayed  in  familiar  and 
colloquial  language.  But  to  describe  a  great  character — 
a  man  of  an  enlarged  mind,  and  of  lofty  intellectual  powers 
— requires  talents  of  a  superior  order.  And  here  the 
writer  feels  his  inadequacy  for  the  complete  discharge  of 
the  duty  imposed  upon  him.  He  did  not  make  choice  of 
it  himself;  nor  would  he  have  undertaken  to  furnish  for 
the  public  Memoirs  of  the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson,  had  not 
many  of  the  materials  been  made  ready  to  his  hand. 

That  Mr.  Benson  was  an  extraordinary  character,  all 
who  were  honoured  with  his  acquaintance  and  confidence 


LIF1  205 

wiH  readily  allow.     He  wii  uaq  ly  a  man  of  a 

Strong  mind,  and  of  a  comprebj  osive  grasp  of  understand- 

•  king  improvement  bat  been 
seldom  equalled,  and  scarcely  ever  mi  passed      From  his 
youth,  and  through  all  the  subsequent  periods  of  his 
he  pursued  bis  studies  with  undei iatii:.  ranee.    In 

acquisition  <>f  knowledge  be  cheerfully  sacrificed  the 
.1  made  his  time  and  opportunities  tributary 
to  this  predominant  and  commendable  object.     With  the 

iliar  ;  ao  lently 

and  carefully  had  !,•  :nent,  that 

.  near!)  i 
With  the  Hebrew  also  of  the  < >ld  Testame  well 

acquainted,  baring  read  it  attentively  several  times.     Hut 
be  made  the  Bible  bis  •!>.  be  did  not 

I  tin*  justly  celebrated]  writing!  of  antiquity,  nor 
such   modem   works   ns  he  tunaL 

Alter  be  first  found  in  Mr.  \\ 

\  of  Homer's  Iliad,  he  applied  him  |  to  it, 

as  to  read  a  book  each  day.     II-  ielf  to 

note  down  every  particular  word  as  .  I,  with  its 

ation  and   meaning,  Interspersed  with  short  critical 
remsrks      I  1«   likes  is*  follow*  I  this  : 
ing  some  books  >pbon,  Plato's  Dialoj 

tain   other  authors.      With  the   works  of  the  best    1 .  1 1  u  1 1  -  h 

lly  with   Dr.   \  ie  « ritti 

was  peculiarly  partial,  and  with  the  works  of  philosophen 
and  historians,  he  i  well  acquaint* 

He  was  constitutionally  warm  and  ardent  in  his  natural 

tamper;  and  though  he  carefully  studied  to  regulate  and 

suhdue  it.  yet  \\  WSS  BOt  Bill  reqiM  :,'  J  I  BOUTOS  of  pail  and 
grief  to  him.  when  he  though!  US  had  <>n  any  SCCasion  be- 
trayed an  undt ..  of  indulgence  of  it.  But  his  naosl 
intimate  friends  can  testify,  that  it  was  only  what  he  con- 
ceived to  be  seriously  wrong  that  excited  his  displeasure, 

12 


265  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

and  that  led  him  to  express  his  feelings  in  a  tone  of  severe 
reprehension.     In  his  bosom  anger  found  no  resting  place. 

Though  his  temper  was  sanguine,  it  was  no  less  con- 
spicuous for  gravity  and  seriousness.  To  foolish  talking 
and  jesting  he  evinced  no  disposition  ;  and  against  ebulli- 
tions of  frantic  mirth  he  had  an  unconquerable  abhorrence 
Corrupt  conversation  never  proceeded  out  of  his  mouth  . 
his  speech  was  always  with  grace,  seasoned  with  salt,  and 
eminently  calculated  to  minister  grace  to  the  hearers. 

Of  time  he  was  a  great  economist.  In  preaching  from 
"  Redeeming  the  time,"  he  was  accustomed  to  repeat  with 
great  emphasis  the  lines  of  his  favourite  poet : — 

"  Time  is  eternity, 
Pregnant  with  all  eternity  can  give  ; 
Pregnant  with  all  that  makes  archangels  smile  ; 
Who  murders  time,  he  crushes  in  the  birth 
A  power  ethereal,  only  not  adored." 

11  Often,"  says  Mr.  Entwisle,  "  while  I  lived  near  him 
in  City-road,  did  his  diligence  speak  loudly  to  me.  At 
night,  so  late  as  eleven  o'clock,  his  light  was  unextin- 
guished ;  and  at  five  in  the  morning  he  was  found  in  his 
study  again.  This  was  uniformly  the  case  ;  and  while  I 
often  observed  it  from  my  own  room,  I  admired  his  con- 
duct, and  felt  a  desire  to  imitate  him  as  far  as  practicable." 
He  was  also  a  remarkable  example  of  disinterestedness. 
Selfishness  was  alien  from  his  character.  His  labours, 
as  the  editor  of  our  periodicals,  were  abundant.  The 
Methodist  Magazine  was  doubled  in  its  size  during  his 
continuance  in  that  office.  And  for  a  series  of  years  he 
published  another  work,  entitled,  "  The  Youth's  Instructer 
and  Guardian."  He  edited  an  octavo  edition  of  Wesley's 
Works,  in  seventeen  volumes ;  and  an  edition  of  Fletch- 
er's Works,  in  nine  volumes  of  the  same  size.  He  also 
edited  eleven  volumes  of  the  Christian  Library,  and  mary 
other   works.     And   in    the  course  of  his  editorship,  he 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN8  267 

wrote  and  published  the  Life  of  the  Rev.  John  Fletcher, 
besides  various  sermons.      And  above  all.  L  :  .  as  a 

valuable  legacy  to  posterity,  his  voluminous  and  standard 
Commentary  on  the  Holy  Scriptures.  And  yet,  notwith- 
standing tht-  extraordinary  tasks  which  he  imposed  upon 
himself,  and  performed  with  the  i    and 

(-arc  he  absolutely  refused  the  least  remuneration  ;   and 
when  the  conference  a!  Manchester,  in  1815,  voted  him 
£500,  ii'»i  as  a  reward  for  his  labours,  hoi  as  a  mark  of 
their  approbation,  do  entreaties  could  prevail  with  him  to 
accept  either  the  whole  or  any  part  of  thai  sum. 
Hut  while  he  maintained  a  spirit  of  noble  disinter* 
in  reference  to  himself,  Ik-  cultivated  the  tend* 
compassion  toward  ributed  of 

his  substance,  as  he  had  opportunity,  to  the  ]  I  brisfs 

flock,  hot  he  v  melted  In  while  pleading 

the  cause  of  the  indigent    and   afflicted.     M  There 
nothing  by  which  tenderness  of  spirit  soon 

and  so  powerfully  excited  in  him.  as  by  tales  of  WO  and 
privation."     How  has  his  heart  I ■■  ted  while  read- 

ing those  cases  of  distress  which  it  is  usual  to  bring  tor- 
ward  at  the  annual  appeal  made  in  all  OUT  chapels  in  Lon- 
don, on  behalf  of  the  M Strangers1  Friend  Society!" — a 
charity  which  owed  much  to  liis   powerful  advocacy  ami 

influence  ;  especially  during  the  earlier  period  of  his 

(\i'\\rc  in  the  metropolis,  when  h<  was  the  superintendent 
of  the  London  circuit. 

\nd   while    Mr.    Den-on  w  ed  in   the   walk-   of 

usefulness   abroad,   he   was   not   unmindful  of  his   more 

private  duties  at  home.      The  affairs  of  his  family  claimed 

a  large  share  of  his  sincere  regard  and  ath  solici- 

tude. As  a  master,  he  forehore  threatening;  and  he  not 
only  cared  tor  the  souls  of  his  servants,  but  when  one  of 
them  was  rendered  incapable,  through  severe  illness,  of 
performing  the  domestic  duties  of  her  station,  he  was  so 


268  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

far  from  treating  her  with  indifference,  that  he  allowed  one 
of  his  daughters  to  wait  upon  her,  though  her  doing  so  was 
at  the  expense  of  bringing  home  another  who  had  been 
attending  upon  her  afflicted  sister.  As  a  father,  the  spirit- 
ual welfare  of  his  children  lay  near  his  heart.  He  set 
them  an  example  of  holy  living,  worthy  of  their  devout 
and  diligent  imitation  ;  and  he  instructed  them  not  only  in 
classical  learning,  but  in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  Chris- 
tianity. Solicitous  as  he  was  that  his  sons  should  be 
scholars,  yet  he  was  infinitely  more  concerned  that  they 
should  be  Christians.  "  He  delighted  to  explain  the 
Scriptures  to  them,  while  he  taught  them  those  holy  ora- 
cles in  the  languages  in  which  they  were  written,  or  while 
they  were  read  in  the  course  of  family  worship,  or  became 
the  subject  of  conversation,  when  sitting  a  little  while  with 
his  family  in  the  evening :  and,  by  all  that  argument, 
authority,  and  example  could  effect,  he  assiduously  incul- 
cated upon  them  the  elevated  principles  and  holy  duties 
of  Christianity,  with  many  rules  for  the  regulation  of  life, 
economy  of  time  and  expense,  and  diligence  in  their  provi- 
dential callings."  To  one  of  hi*  sons,  who  was  pursuing 
his  studies  at  college,  he  thus  writes  . — 

"  My  Dear  Son,. — Although  I  can  ill  spare  time,  I  must 
write  a  few  lines  to  inquire  after  your  health,  and  how  you 
go  on  in  your  studies.  I  am  glad  you  are  to  be  examined 
in  the  evidences  of  Christianity.  It  is  certainly  of  infinite 
importance  that  you  should  understand  them,  and  be  well 
convinced  that  the  grounds  of  your  faith  are  solid,  and 
such  as  will  support  all  the  weight  you  can  lay  upon  them. 
But  if  in  the  mean  time  you  should  cease  to  build  on  that 
ground,  and  lose  any  measure  of  the  religion  you  possessed, 
it  would  be  a  bad  affair,  and  defeat  the  very  design  you 
had  in  view  in  going  to  the  university.  And  yet  I  am  not 
without  my  fears,  lest  your  young  and  inexperienced  mind 


LIFE  OK  JOSEPH  I  269 

should  be  led  astray  by  the  eenu  -  vou  may  form. 

You  need  to  have,  sad  you  mu>t  have,  n  intimacy  with 
those  who  lear  not  God.  If  I  thought  that  you  fanned  in- 
timacies of  thai  kind,  it  would  induce  inc  to  withdraw  fOQ 

from  Cambridg<  m  it  would  be                        i  that 

you  had  not  true  religion;  and  I  am               I  ■  penoe 

without  tn.  a  nerei  be  called  to  the  ministry 
of  the  goer*  1." 

To  the  I  AM  SO*,  under  the  date  of  April   1th. 
thus   writes: — "I   hope  you   will   continue   to  DSC   «  irlv  : 

hut  urn  should  not  fail  to  no  to  bed  el  ■  Draper  time  in  the 
en  sing,  which  ihooki  be  between  nine  and  ten  o'clock. 
And  you  mast  not  be  deprivo 

1 1 tut-  during  the  day  by  ;i  eat  of  i d V  having  nothing 

to  do  riViiasolToa.  or  no  inclination  to  theii  own  proper 
bneineee,  make  no  i  tiindering  tin' 

Thii  may  require  tome  addreea,  tint  vou  may  not 
uncivil;  and  it  will  require  much  resolution.  Bat  renew** 
bar,  yon  had  better  offend  many  worthless  loungers,  than 
sutler  yourself  to  be  robbed  of  your  precious  tune,  and 
prevented  from  making  thai  unproreeaenl  yon  might  other- 
wise make.  I  beseech  you  attend  to  tins;  lor  on  this 
much  depends." 

In  a  nabeecjnenl  letter  he  thus  writes:  M  Vou  are  busy, 
and  I  am  bu>y.  And  it  is  very  welL  It  is  more  tor  our 
happiness,  than  if  we  had  too  much  leisure.      1  am  of  I  Jr. 

^  anwa/a  mind : 

•  Leiton  is  pain  ;  takes  off  our  chariot  wheels; 
Hen  -  the  load  of  life  ! 

BUI  curse,  like  that  of  Cain  ; 
It  malm  us  wander,  wamh  r  earth  around, 
To  fly  the  tyrant  Lboag&t . — 

Without  employ. 
The  soul  is  on  the  rack,  the  rack  of  rest, 
To  souls  most  adverse  ;  action  all  their  joys."  '* 


270  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

In  the  last  letter  he  wrote  to  his  son  he  says :  "  Re- 
member, the  great  point  is,  that  we  be  holy  and  useful  in 
our  generation ;  for  we  are  not  to  live  unto  ourselves,  but 
to  Him  who  died  for  us,  and  rose  again.  Let  us  always 
keep  eternity  in  view,  and  see  that  we  are  always  ready 
to  enter  it. 

"  In  reference  to  his  personal  character,  as  a  Christian, 
the  following  observations,"  says  Dr.  Bunting,  "  have  oc- 
curred to  my  mind  : — 

"  His  conversion  from  sin  to  God  was  clear,  sound,  and 
decided.  Conviction  of  actual  sin,  of  the  natural  depravity 
which  is  its  source,  of  the  moral  helplessness  which  is  its 
concomitant,  and  of  the  awful  exposure  to  divine  wrath,  and 
endless  ruin,  which  is  its  effect : — godly  sorrow,  the  result 
of  this  conviction,  working  repentance  toward  God,  with 
earnest  prayer  for  pardon  and  grace,  and  other  fruits  meet 
for  such  repentance  :— faith,  in  the  testimony  of  the  gospel 
concerning  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  him,  as  declared 
in  that  testimony,  to  be  the  only  and  the  all-sufficient  Saviour 
of  sinners,  able  and  willing,  by  his  atoning  blood,  and 
almighty  Spirit,  to  save  unto  the  uttermost  those  who  are 
1  without  money  or  price,'  without  merit  or  might  of  their 
own  : — and,  finally,  in  consequence  of  this  act  of  faith  in 
Christ  as  '  the  Lord  our  righteousness,'  the  reception  into 
the  heart  of  the  promised  Spirit,  both  as  '  the  Comforter,' 
witnessing  to  the  believer  his  pardon,  and  adoption  into 
God's  family,  and  thereby  filling  him  with  a  peace  which 
passeth  understanding,  and  as  a  Sanctifier,  working  in  him 
a  death  unto  sin,  and  a  new  birth  unto  righteousness, 
which  are  evidenced  by  habitual  holiness  of  heart  and  life. 
From  this  conversion  flowed  all  his  subsequent  excellence 
as  a  Christian  :  it  was  this  '  grace  of  God,  bringing  salva- 
tion,' that  in  fact  made  him  a  Christian,  planted  in  him  the 
elements  of  all  Christian  virtues,  and  prepared  him  for 
every  good  word  and  work. 


LIFE  OK  JO0BPU  BBNfl 

'•  And  the  grace  he  thus  received  lie  habitually  retained  ; 
and    in   it   he   increased  with  the  in<  r  He 

I    not    in  fn>t   prih  rudiments    of  Christian 

doctrine  or  experience,  bot  went  on  m  walk- 

ing in  Christ  whom  lie  had  n  nd  fighting  the  good 

fight;   and  he  was  linn.    .  Hunt  and  belieTe,  in  the 

poseesMon  oi  that  entir<  fication  of  the  Sj)irit'  on 

which  he  bo  often  strongly  inaisi  seaential  to  our 

final  salvation.      I  i  tble  peri  !.  his 

finiahed  preparatioi]  ■•untry,  that  is.  a  heaven- 

ly, m u  m  knew  him.     !!••  often  - 

in  strong  tenne  of  the  Bpiritna]  benefit  which  he  had  lately 
derired  from  preparing  far  the  proaa  the  earlier  volumes 
of  th<  :i  Library  :  and  it  was  very  apparent  from 

ii,  that  the  reperoaaJ  of  thai  I  col- 

i  of  experimental  and   practical  divinity  had 

iv  bleated  to  his  own  aonl. 
u  In  looking  at  w 
liar  characteristics  of  Mr.  H<  piety,  1 

nut  hut  particnlarize  the  advantage  which  it 

lulity.  its  beautiful  uniformity,  and  its  genera]  ••tu- 
rn-fully studied,  in  rafarence 
to  lus  own  interest  in  them,  the  evidences  and  doctrines 
of  divine  revelation.    In  thane  bmnchea  of  religious  know* 

.  his  nnderatanding   was  thoroughly  cultivated  and 
Well  principled.      He  km m  why,  -  'in  whom,' he 

had  believed  ;  and  thus  hud  the  foundation  for  a  remark- 
ably firm  and  unshaken  confidence  in  the  word,  the  urace, 
and  the  providence  of  God,  which,  sustained  by  divine  in- 
fluence and  pon  '  his  SOttl  like  an  anchor  true  and 
steadfast,  and  almost  eel  ar  ill  the  Bubtlety  and 
mptation  <>n  such  subjecta.  <  tf  him  it  might  emi- 
nently be  said,  *  In  nnderatanding  he  was  a  me 

i  nnirtatp  ending  manlineas  and  vigour  to  his  pi- 
general;  and  having  become  habitual,  perhaps  influenced, 


272  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BEN  SOX. 

in  part,  the  tone  of  his  feelings  and  conversation  in  his 
last  sickness,  which  was  that  of  strong  faith,  rather  than  of 
strong  excitement,  and  exhibited  most  prominently  a  calm, 
settled,  and  tranquil  confidence  in  a  Saviour,  on  whose 
merits,  might,  and  faithfulness  he  had  long  reposed  such 
implicit  reliance,  that  he  never  thought  of  doubting  their 
continued  exercise  in  his  favour.  On  one  point  connected 
with  this  article,  Mr.  Benson  was  wont  to  express  his 
opinion  with  peculiar  decision ;  I  mean,  the  propriety  and 
necessity,  in  these  days  of  rebuke  and  blasphemy,  of  for- 
tifying the  minds  of  young  people,  and  of  Christians  in 
general,  against  the  assaults  of  infidelity,  by  an  accurate 
acquaintance  with  the  evidences,  external  as  well  as  inter- 
nal, of  our  holy  religion.  And  he  was  always  equally  de- 
cided, as  to  the  apostacies  from  religious  profession,  and 
other  mischievous  consequences,  which  result  in  very 
many  cases  from  neglecting  to  inform  the  judgments  of 
persons  who  appear  to  be  the  subjects  of  divine  awaken- 
ings, or  of  other  gracious  and  hopeful  affections,  and  from 
their  want  of  more  careful  instruction  in  Christian  doc- 
trines and  duties.  On  this  principle,  he  strenuously  en- 
forced on  all  Christians  the  perusal  of  the  Holy  Scriptures  ; 
and  recommended  catechetical  labours  to  parents  and  other 
teachers  of  the  young,  as  essential  to  permanent  success. 

"  Mr.  Benson  was  distinguished  by  remarkably  strong 
and  realizing  impressions  of  the  eternal  world,  of  the  bre- 
vity and  uncertainty  of  time,  and  of  the  insignificance  of 
those  things  which  are  seen  and  temporal,  except  as  they 
stand  in  connection  with  the  things  unseen  and  eternal.  I 
think  I  have  met  with  no  man  who  appeared  so  power- 
fully to  feel,  and  who  so  affectingly  described,  the  supreme 
importance  of  that  everlasting  state  to  which  we  are  hasten- 
ing. Whether  he  was  ever  a  close  student  of  the  practical 
works  of  the  great  Richard  Baxter,  I  have  no  means  of 
ascertaining ;  but  he  strikingly  resembled,  in  this  particu- 


LIKi;  OP  JOHBMI  HK\-)\.  273 

lar,  thai  extraordinary  man.  ami  invaluable  writer,  who 
pre-eminently  lived  and  acted  under  tin1  feeling,  that  he 
til  -a  dying  man  among  dying  men.1  From  the>e  lively 
aj)j»rehen-  inKed,  by  the  divine 

.Mr.  Bensem'e  holy  deadness  to  this  world.  Kn  which  he 

greatly  excelled,  and  hit  hit  to  all  wh<»  knew  him  a  HUM! 

illustnoii-  example.     Like  'the  spin'-  sped  from 

earth,'  he.  even  while  vet  among  ».-.  M  •  im-d  to  have  'the 

truth  of  things  full  blazing  on  .'  and 'looked 

nished  on  the  ways  of   men.  P/hOM  life'l  whole  drif 

fbrgel  their  graves.'     To  love  thai  world. 

supremely    or   anxioiislv,    iK    transitory    hoUOUTB,    or    j»l>  a- 
.  or  wealth,  appeared  to   him  a  thing,  not   only  inju- 

.  hut  absolutely  ridiculous;    and  I  have  sometimes 

!•(  ii  him  randy  al  once  to  laugh  at  the  absurdity  of  such 
conduct,  and  to  w  t  .  p  .  .\ .  r  in  criminal  it  v  and  danger.  And 
by  his  own    habitual    s,  It-denial, — his    mortified    life. — his 

extraordinary  disinterestedness,  and  his  abstinence  from 
svery  thing  like  greedineae  of  filthy  lucre,  or  making,  m 

an\    mean  or  dish(»noural»l'    SOI  tin  of  godlinese, 

Of  hi>  lnlluencc  m  the  church  of  Christ,  fof  himself  or  for 

his  family,— he  evinced  the  sincerity  of  those  feelii 
which  he   often    gave    utterance    in    reference   to   I 

sub),  i 

••  Mr.  Benson  was  eminent  in  that  important  pari  of 

purity  of  heart  which  consists  in  simplicity  of  intention. 
He  often  urged  on  others,  and.  by  special  praver  and  fre- 
quent self-examination,  endeavoured  to  cultivate  in  himself, 
a  constant  regard  to  the  authority  of  God,  ami  a  supreme 
desire  to  please  and  glorify  him.  in  the  whole  conduct  of 
life.  In  this  endeavour,  there  is  rOUSOn  to  believe,  he  was 
greatly  succeeded  by  the  Holy  Spirit  ;  so  that  his  brethren, 
if  ever  they  allow  ed  themselves  humbly  to  think  that  he 
w  as,  when  he  differed  from  them  on  any  matter  of  public 
business,  erroneous  in  judgment,  gave  him  implicit  credit 


274  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

for  singleness  of  eye,  and  never  reverenced  him  more  un- 
feignedly  than  when  they  felt  themselves  compelled  to 
dissent,  in  any  instance,  from  his  conclusions  or  recom- 
mendations. No  man,  perhaps,  exercised  a  more  general, 
or  a  more  deserved  and  beneficial,  influence  over  his 
friends  and  associates  ;  because  every  one  who  knew  him 
was  satisfied  of  his  unimpeachable  integrity,  and  universal 
conscientiousness. 

"  I  shall  only  mention  further,  in  speaking  of  his  Chris- 
tian character,  the  unfeigned  humility  which,  I  believe, 
was  habitual  to  his  mind,  and  crowned  all  his  other  graces. 
His  attainments,  intellectual  and  moral,  were  of  no  com- 
mon order :  but  that  was  a  fact  on  which,  as  far  as  I  could 
observe,  he  never  appeared  to  allow  himself  to  dwell ;  and 
of  which,  indeed,  in  reference  to  his  religious  eminence,  I 
never  could  discover  any  indication  that  he  was  himself 
conscious.  His  views  of  the  divine  purity  and  justice 
were  peculiarly  solemn,  and  perhaps  somewhat  awful  in 
their  effect,  on  his  habitual  feeling  toward  God,  though 
tempered  and  softened  by  his  steadfast  faith  in  the  dis- 
coveries and  provisions  of  the  gospel.  Hence  he  com- 
pared himself  with  the  highest  and  the  holiest  standards  ; 
and  might,  of  course,  be  sensible  of  many  deficiencies 
which  others  of  views  less  strict,  and  habits  less  rigidly 
conscientious,  would  have  overlooked  in  themselves.  One 
thing  is  certain,— that  in  life  and  death  he  had  no  plea  on 
which  he  dared,  or  was  disposed,  to  rely  for  acceptance, 
and  right  to  life,  but  the  merits  of  the  Saviour's  blood,  and 
the  gracious  promises  of  the  new  covenant.  At  the  close 
of  his  signally  useful  life,  and  after  a  ministry  of  fifty 
years,  honoured  with  a  visible  and  manifest  success  not 
often  paralleled,  he  repeatedly  and  emphatically  declared 
to  me  :  'lam  saved  by  grace  only,  through  faith.'  Thus 
he  looked  for  the  mercy  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  to  eter- 
nal life. 


UFfi  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  37sj 

u  In  reference  to  the  public  character  of  Mr.  Benson,  as 
a  minister  of  Christ,  I  deem  it  necessary  to  mention  the 
following  particulars  : — 

"  He  was  •  b  scribe  instructed  unto  the  kingdom  of  hea- 
ven,' and  able  to  '  bring  forth  out  of  his  treasure  things 
new  and  old.'  Of  him  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  he  was 
'mighty  in  the  Scripture*;'  with  which,  in  their  original 
Language*,  he  was  familiarly  conversant  With  the  Greek 
>•  -dally,  i.  ioxately  acquainted.    He 

frequently  quoted  it.  even  in  social  convert  i  rob- 

of  divinity  ;   and  often  liappily  availed  liimself,  in  the 

pulpit,  of  the  illustrations  i  him  by  his  critical 

knowledge  of  its  peculiar  beauties  and  idi^mv.     Hi 
well  skilled  in  every  branch  malic  and  polemical 

theology.  1  Ii>  opinions  were  th< 
trinal  questions,  with  those  which  are  well  known  as 
motorizing  the  li\in<_'  ministry  and  printed  works  of  Mr. 
Wesley  and  Mr.  Fletcher.  These  he  firmly  believed  to  be 
revealed  in  the  Holy  Scriptures;  and  for  the  authority  of 
that  volume,  convinced  as  he  was  of  its  divinity  and  inspi- 
ration, he  had  a  profound  reverence.     Its  testimony,  once 

•  uncd,  he  allowed  not  himself,  lor  a  mODU  I 

Hon  or  to  modify.     He  i  lew  ed  if  as  -  the  judgment  o(  ( 
mouth ,'  and  had  acquired  the  all-important  habit  of 

in<:   at  oner  U)    Us   decisions.      The    tribute  so    honourably 

paid  m  this  place,  by  Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  on  the  day  of  his 
interment,   to  his    pre-.nnn.  profound  and  able 

divine,  1  have   heard  m  terms  equally  strong   and  unquali- 
fied, from  the  lips  of  no  incompetent  judges,  who  do  not 

belong  to  our  own  connection.  One  of  his  excell- 
as  a  theologian,  is  well  described  in  the  following  extract 
of  a  letter  from  an  aged  minister  in  our  body, — himself 
known  to  his  intimate  friends  as  distinguished  by  the  strict 
and  discriminating  accuracy  of  his  theological  views  ;  — 
'  He  had  a  mind  capable  of  embracing  the  whole  analogy 


276  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

of  faith,  and  at  the  same  time  of  minutely  analyzing  it. 
He  readily  discerned  where  truth,  pushed  beyond  its  pro- 
per limits,  verged  on  error.  At  the  same  time,  his  heart, 
influenced  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  received  the  truth  in  all  its 
power;  so  that  it  became  in  him  a  living  and  operative 
principle.  Hence  his  expositions  of  the  Scriptures  were 
clear,  distinct,  and  full,  while  his  applications  to  the  con- 
sciences and  hearts  of  his  hearers  were  powerfully,  and 
sometimes  irresistibly  impressive,  and  reminded  me  often 
of  the  most  pointed  parts  in  the  works  of  Richard  Baxter. 
He  was  indeed  a  burning  and  a  shining  light.' 

"  .Mr.  Benson,  as  a  preacher,  had  perhaps  fewer  faults, 
and  more  excellences,  than  ordinarily  fall  to  the  lot  of  one 
servant  of  Christ,  however  gifted.  His  ministry  of  the 
word  was  soundly  evangelical,  but  guarded  against  Anti- 
nomian  perversions  of  the  gospel  with  a  remarkable  degree 
of  anxiety,  for  which  the  part  he  bore  in  early  life,  in  trans- 
actions connected  with  certain  theological  controversies, 
will  naturally  account ;  and  which  the  tendency  even  yet 
discoverable,  in  some  part  of  the  professing  world,  to  run  in- 
to such  perversions,  may  go  far  to  justify.  Christ  should  be 
preached  boldly  and  freely  ;  but  he  should  also  be  preached 
fully  and  consistently,  in  all  his  offices  ;  as  a  Saviour  from 
sin,  as  well  as  from  hell.  His  ministry  was  Scriptural  ; 
not  metaphysically  subtle,  nor  modishly  sentimental. 
His  subjects,  arguments,  and  illustrations,  were  all  derived 
from  the  book  of  which  he  was  called  to  be  the  expounder 
to  his  hearers  :  and  even  among  Scriptural  topics,  he  was 
religiously  scrupulous  to  select  those  which  were  most 
important,  and  most  suited  to  the  state  and  necessities  of 
the  people.  His  ministry  was,  as  to  its  manner,  plain, 
but  dignified  He  paid  little  attention  to  the  mere  graces 
and  elegances  of  style  :  but  he  was  powerfully  argumenta- 
tive in  his  addresses  to  the  understanding ;  and  often,  as 
you  have  heard,  irresistibly  energetic  in  his  appeals  to  the 


UF1  -    v 

■  Knowing  the  terror  of  the  Lord,5  h 

I  men  to  ropontsnoa  ;  sad  could  most  instructively 
tnd  delightfully  dilate,  lor  the  comfort  of  penitents  and  the 
edification  of  betieversj  on  the  glory  of  <  Sod,  in  the 

of  Jem  Christ,  and  the  oseearchable  ricl  ■ 
and  goodness  displayed  in  tlic  scheme  of  I 
Mere  h«  never  failed  to  i  I  ie  powers  of  a  mat 

the  MCred  art  ;   and,  what  was  >till  hetter,  '  the  unction  of 

tin-  Hory  <  hie/  whieh  rested  on  him  tad  on  hi-  audit 
srhelmingly  glorious ;  and  the  word  oi 

dispensed  by  him.  *  .  tire,  and  as  n  hammer  which 

breaketfa  the  roek  in  010000.'     In  these  ch  1 
Ins  preaching,  Mr.  Benson  had  no  superior, and  : 

And   the    happy    off  h  a  ministry   has,  1    !•< 

been  Lrre;it,  not  only  on   the   people,  hut  llsO  oil  the  bo 
our  younget  preachers,  Who,  When  they  have  s;,t  with  ad- 
miration and  delight  under  his  s.-rmons  at  our  annua: 

ferences,  have  practically  learned  m  what  the  real  grese- 
n«  m  of  a  preacher  of  the  l"»-j»  1  1  <■  been  led 

to  imitate,  though  without  servility,  wl  _uallv 

owned  in  the  man  they  honoured, — and  have  thus  boon 
guarded  against  substituting,  in  their  own  ministry,  the 
chaff  for  the  wheat,  tin-  tinsel  for  the  Lr<dd.  the  miserable 

Ir&ppingS    of    an    empty    and     artificial    oratory    f«»r    that 

Scriptural  truth,  which  1^  'when  unadorned  adorned 
the  most.'  and  that  genuine  eloquence  which  is  inspired 
bv  pious  footing,  and  seal  for  the  salvation  of  perishing 

sou:- 

'To  the  preceding  account  of  Mr.  BenSOO'l  talent- 
preacher,  furnished  by  the    Rot.   Dr.   Daatiag,  I  have  the 
pleasurt  of  addiag  the  following  graphic  description  from 

the  pen  of  Mr.  Peter  Kruse.     He  says:    •■  Some  years 

since.  I  was  invited  to  attend  the  public  sen  ice  at  Citv- 
road  chapel  in  London:  the  time  was  Sunday  evening: 
and  the  minister  appointed  to  preach  was  said  to  be  popu- 


278  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

lar.  The  building  was  crowded  to  excess  ;  and  just  as  the 
clock  struck  six,  all  eyes  were  directed  toward  the  passage 
leading  from  what  is  termed  the  morning  chapel,  through 
which  the  minister  proceeded  from  the  vestry.  Having 
heard  of  his  pulpit  talent,  and  consequent  celebrity,  my 
imagination  had  pictured  the  idea  of  an  erect  and  portly 
personage,  rustling  to  the  scene  of  action  with  a  full 
measure  of  clerical  dignity ;  when,  to  my  surprise  and 
disappointment,  came  forward,  with  solemn  pace,  a  spare 
unassuming  figure,  habited  in  a  straight-fronted  black  coat, 
of  the  plainest  form.  There  appeared  in  him  an  inward 
lowliness,  which  I  thought  remarkable ;  his  countenance 
was  composed  and  placid,  and  of  that  cast  which  indicated 
deep  thinking ;  he  was  about  the  medium  height ;  had  a 
small  stoop  in  walking ;  and  from  the  few  straggling  hairs 
which  yet  barely  lingered  on  his  forehead,  he  must  have 
been  advancing  in  years.  On  ascending  the  pulpit,  my 
first  impression  was,  that  the  congregation  was  disappoint- 
ed. The  favourite,  thought  I,  is  not  come  :  this  person  is 
the  deputy ;  and  I  wonder  what  such  a  teacher  can  have 
to  say.  *  Judge  nothing  before  the  time,'  was  the  wise 
reply  of  my  friend.  I  consented,  therefore,  to  hear  with 
patience ;  or,  at  least,  to  try.  On  giving  out  the  hymn 
which  was  to  be  sung,  I  found  the  minister  had  the  disad- 
vantage of  a  voice  by  no  means  musical,  and  exceedingly 
weak  withal.  The  prayer  which  followed  was  delivered 
in  a  tone  rather  low ;  but  it  was  remarkable  for  its  com- 
prehensiveness and  spirituality.  In  pronouncing  the  text 
of  Scripture  on  which  the  discourse  was  to  be  founded,  it 
was  with  some  difficulty  that  he  was  heard,  especially  at 
the  more  distant  part  of  his  audience,  where  I  happened  to 
be.  With  the  exception  of  a  few  notes,  written  upon  a 
small  piece  of  paper,  placed  before  him  on  the  opened  leaf 
of  the  Bible,  his  sermon  was  extemporaneous ;  and  the 
utterance  of  a  few  sentences  was  sufficient  to  show  that 


LIKE  OF  JOSEPH   BENSON  *fl 

lie  was  no  ordinary  man.  The  exordium  was  Insly  0OQ- 
<fiw<].  and  was  i]<  li\  ©red  with  a  clear  and  distinct  voice, 
and  with  an  esxnestBM  M  of  manner,  which  visibly  increased 

as  he  proceeded  '1  Km  structure  of  the  .sermon,  and  his 
intruded  line  of  remark  .and  reasoning,  irese  then  pro- 
potmded  with  remarkable  perspicuity;  and  tor  a  mil  hour, 
irhicfa  was  the  time  the  ezpoaitioo  lasted,  not  fossst  than 
two  thousand  person^  listened  with  almost  breathless 
attention  to  this  master  in  [sraeL  Bui  beamifoJ  and  im- 
ptessive  as  was  tie'  maimer  in  which  the  argumentative 

parts  of  the  difl  .tied,  it  was  toward  the 

dose  that  the  peculiarities  ofthia  marrelloes  man  were 

exhibited.  If  the  most  difficult  part  of  a  sermon  he  the 
application,    it    was    here    that    he    eonsjiit  iii  oaly   - 

Supernatural  aid  seemed  to  some  down  :  ovt  ol  weak 

he    wris    made    strong  :     the    disadvantage   of  I    weak   ami 

trenmloui  roi<  <•  was  forgotti  d  in  orerwhelming  appeala  to 
the  consciences  of  the  auditors.     They  teemed  to  expeel 

an   approaching  storm;    all  bent  a  willing  ear:    and   surf* 

enough  it  came.     On  th  on,  the  preacher  made  a 

tremendous  calculatiofl  of  the  requisitions  of  the  moral  law, 

and  the  penalties  attached  to  disobedience.      Tip  re  were 
blackness,  and  rlnrknoss.  and  tempest     Sinai  was  alto- 
gether on  a  smoke,  and  [  :  heart  an>~ 
when  of  old  the  trumpet  sonnded  long  and  waxed  Ion. hand 
the  people  did  sxeeedingly  fear  ami  quake.     Then,  by  a 

transition    of   thought,   managed   with    »mg«|»T  ability,  the 

terrors  of  the  last  day  weN  surveyed  :  the  Ancient  of 
did  sit;  the  hooks  were  Opened  j  creation  crashed  to  its 
centre,  and  was  passing  away  with  a  i_rreat  BOtSOj  the  in- 
exorahle  throne  was  unveiled,  and  before  it  stood  the  cited 
dead  of  a  thousand  generations.  The  condition  of  those 
who  perisli  in  an  impenitent  rejection  of  the  fJOSfjd  was 
then  portrayed  in  colours  vivid  as  the  light  of  truth  :  trviilt 
stood    impeached  and  abashed ;    subterfuge    and    evasion 


280  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

were  driven  from  their  last  retreat ;  forgotten  sins  seemed 
to  be  remembered,  and,  like  the  prophetic  roll,  were  ex- 
hibited in  characters  of  mourning,  lamentation,  and  wo. 
•  See,'  said  the  preacher,  '  that  ye  refuse  not  him  that 
speaketh ;  for  if  they  escaped  not  who  refused  him  that 
spake  on  earth,  much  more  shall  not  we  escape,  if  we 
turn  away  from  him  that  speaketh  from  heaven.'  This, 
and  other  passages  of  sacred  writ,  were  quoted  in  the  ut- 
most height  of  excited  fervour :  when,  as  was  commonly 
the  case  with  him,  his  voice  partially  failed,  and  gave  way 
before  the  fulness  of  his  spirit ;  but  this  circumstance,  so 
far  from  impeding  the  current  of  his  eloquence,  rendered  it 
increasingly  touching.  Every  one  saw  that  he  was  big 
with  matter,  and  that  the  '  spirit  of  convincing  speech'  was 
with  him.  There  was  no  failure  but  that  of  corporeal 
strength.  Many  were  deeply  smitten,  some  sorrowed  after 
a  godly  sort,  and  not  a  few  were  melted  into  tears :  when, 
with  the  skill  of  the  physician  who  knew  his  time  when  to 
probe,  and  when  to  stay  his  hand,  the  preacher  turned  to 
another  leaf  in  his  commission ;  and  the  promises  of  the 
gospel,  of  which  he  had  an  ample  store  at  his  command, 
were  announced  with  charming  pathos  and  freedom. 
The  perspiration  had  for  some  time  stood  in  drops  upon  his 
forehead,  which  he  repeatedly  removed  with  his  handker- 
chief: meantime  the  hearers  remained  mute  with  atten- 
tion,— you  might  have  heard  a  sigh.  The  entrance  of  the 
word  seemed  to  give  life.  There  came  on  a  lifting  up  of 
the  head,  as  if  redemption  drew  nigh.  The  expectation 
of  some  spiritual  blessing  was  tremblingly  alive ;  as  in  the 
year  when  King  Uzziah  died,  when  the  door-posts  were 
shaken  at  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  All  felt  the  manifest- 
ation of  power  and  the  present  God ;  as  when  Moses 
smote  the  rock,  amidst  multitudes  pressing  around  to  catch 
the  gushing  stream.  The  preacher,  as  was  usual  with  him, 
concluded  with  a  short  aspiration  of  prayer,  which  was 


MPl  BFH  BEN8  281 

instantly  followed  by  an  Amen,—  : .  anil  pro- 

!  :  and  which,  as  the  \  Dice  of  many 
from  all  parti  of  the  chapel.     The  •  fl  ilarly 

touching.     It  has  been  am  rted  that  tin-  ministry  of  tliis 

ordinary  man  had  I  •  •<-eial  spiritual  use  to  m 

than  ten  thousand  persons  ;   among  whom,  and  hv 
a  •  •>!<  ran  community  in  general,  the  name 
m  \\  ill  not  Boon  be  forgotten. 
'•  Mr.  Benson's  <  i  b  public  i  i 

word,  if  not  altogetbj  r  unique,  was  singular  in  respi 
il  materia]  points.  !  endued  with  lest 

SSlOn  than  h«  .  are,  it  tS  said,  BOOK 

by  the  i » r<  m  overflowing  assembly.     Not  bo  with 

the  gifted  man  no*  alluded  to:  he  rose  in  proportion  to 

•  maud  upon  hifl  energu  s.      Is 
larger  tin    i  ition,  the  mort  >le  it  appi 

pecially  if  to  numbers  w<  *  silent  devout 

attitude,  and  a  desire  to  apprehend  an 
i 1 1 lt      <  hi  such  occasions,  e  hen  ■  mass  of  lii 
to  hare  but  one  desire,  and  were  'all  eye,  and  all  ear1  to 
learn  tin-  truth,  lu^  spirit,  like  that  of  the  great  apostle, 

lined  within  him;    grace  descended  like  dew  open 
the  hill  of  llermcn.     There  was  t  i  .  behold,  a 

slinking,  and  the  dry  bones  lived. 

•■  Sometimes,  when  adrancing  toward  the  closi 
course.  Mr.  Benson  selected  a  particular  class  of  peraaMt 
frequently  young  men.  into  whose  practice  he  had  n 
to  believe  some  gay  and  fashionable  rice  had  mshu 
itself.     For  such  a  scrutiny  he  was  well  qualified,  by  an 
intimacy  with  a  tolerably  lar^e   circle  of  acquaint 
which  had  grown  up  around  him,  during  his  lengthened 
residence,  as  the  literary  director  of  the  Wesleyae 
department      (hi  these  occasions,  the  skill  and  tact  of  the 

preacher  were  shown  in  a   nice  and  delicate  perception  of 
right  and  wrong ;  in  defining  the  boundaries  of  vice  and 


282  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

virtue ;  in  taking  or  tearing  away  the  mask  so  often  worn 
by  mischief  in  disguise ;  and  by  a  simple  but  luminous 
display  of  evangelical  doctrine  and  precept,  as  the  only 
availing  remedy  for  moral  evil.  That  these  personal 
appeals  (for  they  almost  amounted  to  it)  were  occasionally 
painful,  there  can  be  no  doubt ;  and  that  some  who  were 
present  wished  themselves  away,  is  known  ;  for  conscience 
would  be  heard  ;  but  it  is  not  known  that  any  took  offence  : 
indeed,  there  was  in  Mr.  Benson's  addresses  so  much 
kindness,  combined  with  such  force  of  reasoning, — such  a 
desire  to  convince  the  judgment,  and  save  the  soul, — that 
to  take  deliberate  umbrage  seemed  almost  impossible. 

"  Although  Mr.  Benson  appeared  to  be  in  his  proper 
element  while  holding  forth  the  word  of  life  to  large  con- 
gregations, it  must  not  be  understood  that  he  thought  or 
acted  lightly  in  reference  to  those  small,  and  comparatively 
out-of-the-way,  places  in  which  Wesleyan  Methodism 
sometimes  has  a  beginning.  He  understood  the  import- 
ance of  such  places  too  well,  to  allow  of  any  approach  to 
indifference  concerning  them.  He  was,  in  fact,  remark- 
able for  a  conscientious  adherence  to  his  appointment  on 
the  plan ;  whether  the  dimensions  of  the  place  to  which 
he  was  appointed  were  great  or  small.  The  marked,  care- 
ful, consecutive  attention  which  he  paid  to  the  ministration 
of  the  word  in  destitute  and  neglected  neighbourhoods, 
especially  on  the  week-day  evenings,  is  well  worthy  of 
notice  and  imitation.  On  these  occasions,  when  the  audi- 
tory consisted  chiefly  of  working  persons,  just  retired  from 
daily  labour,  his  practice  generally  was,  to  read  several 
verses,  or  take  an  entire  chapter  of  holy  writ,  as  a  text, 
and  go  through  it  in  an  expository  form.  The  excellence 
of  this  method,  as  he  managed  it,  can  scarcely  be  con- 
ceived, except  by  those  who  heard  him :  it  was  no  doubt 
chosen,  as  best  suited  to  meet  the  capacity  of  those  plain 
and  unlettered  persons  who  left  the  world  to  pray  and  hear. 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  283 

Many  were  thus  impressed  by  a  single  weighty  sentence, 
whose  faculties  were  unequal  to  the  task  of  pursuing  the 
train  of  thought  and  reasoning  of  a  discourse  framed  and 
divided  into  heads  in  the  usual  manner. 

"  This  kind-hearted  supervision  with  regard  to  the 
1  small  and  feeble  things'  of  that  early  day  was  doubtless 
displayed  in  instances  never  likely  to  be  known  ;  but  one 
or  two  such  cases  are  worthy  of  being  recorded.  The 
Methodists  have  had  for  many  years  a  preaching-place,  or 
chapel,  on  Saffron-hill,  in  the  centre  of  London.  The  lo- 
cality is  notorious  as  the  abode  of  a  numerous  low  Irish 
population,  chiefly  employed  as  venders  of  provisions,  or 
masons'  labourers.  The  chapel  is  placed  behind  a  range 
of  houses,  and  is  approached  through  a  narrow  covered  en- 
trance, or  passage,  from  the  street,  having  no  pretensions 
to  architectural  embellishment,  or  even  convenience.  But 
this  place  of  worship,  in  spite  of  these  deductions,  has 
always  been  considered  respectable.  God  has  blessed  it : 
sinners  have  been  taught  the  way  of  truth  within  its  walls  ; 
and  where  the  divine  presence  is  felt,  a  barn,  an  out- 
house, or  a  hovel  may  be  entered  without  reluctance  or 
shame.  It  will  easily  be  credited,  that  in  this  place  Mr. 
Benson  was  popular, — so  was  Dr.  Clarke  :  and  this  state- 
ment may  serve  to  show  that  in  Methodism,  while  assem- 
bled multitudes  are  fed  with  the  bread  of  life,  there  is  a 
careful  and  heartfelt  superintendence  practised  whenever 
and  wherever  '  two  or  three  are  met  together'  in  the  name 
of  Christ. 

"  Another  infant  cause  to  which  the  fostering  care  of 
Mr.  Benson  directed  itself  was  situated  in  Clerken well- 
green.  The  place  of  worship  here  was  a  school-room, 
and  on  the  first  floor  of  the  house.  A  person,  now  living, 
well  remembers  him  on  one  occasion,  when  he  selected 
the  twelfth  chapter  of  the  Epistle  to  the  Romans  for  his 
subject,  and  went  through  the  whole  of  the  chapter,  verse 


284  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

after  verse,  with  an  exactness  of  observation,  and  an  ear- 
nestness of  manner,  that  were  truly  edifying.  The  pains 
he  took  to  give  what  he  deemed  to  be  the  right  meaning 
of  every  sentence  and  word,  and  the  labour  he  encountered 
in  order  to  make  himself  understood,  are  well  remembered. 
'  The  preacher  sought  to  find  out  acceptable  words,  even 
words  of  truth.'  The  man  who  knew  how  to  find  the  low 
level  of  Saffron-hill  and  Clerkenwell-green,  knew  also, 
when  occasion  demanded,  how  to  send  forth  the  polished 
shaft  of  truth,  with  unerring  aim,  among  the  well-dressed 
hearers  in  the  cushioned  pews  of  a  more  elegant  and  capa- 
cious chapel." 

Mr.  Benson  was  also  a  pastoral  man.  It  was  not  in  the 
pulpit  alone  that  he  strove  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  and  to 
build  up  believers  in  their  most  holy  faith ;  but,  as  far  as 
his  other  duties  would  allow,  he  visited  the  sick,  and  minis- 
tered to  the  temporal  and  spiritual  necessities  of  the  poor 
of  Christ's  flock.  When  called  upon  to  preside  at  the 
quarterly  visitation  of  the  classes,  for  receiving  their  tickets, 
his  manner  was  singularly  impressive.  Being  such  a 
one  as  "  Paul  the  aged,"  though  another  in  name,  his 
spiritual  instructions  and  admonitions  were  enforced  by 
long  and  varied  experience  in  the  ways  of  God  ;  and  having 
obtained  an  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  members  of  the 
society,  through  his  long  continuance  in  the  metropolis, 
he  was  enabled  to  adapt  himself  to  the  peculiarities  of  their 
several  cases.  In  this  department  of  usefulness,  which  is 
known  to  be  emphatically  and  almost  exclusively  Wes- 
leyan,  he  took  more  than  ordinary  pains.  Exact,  though 
not  formal,  and  searching  without  being  inquisitive,  he  en- 
deavoured to  ascertain  the  spiritual  state  and  religious  ex- 
perience of  the  several  members  of  the  society,  that  he 
might  counsel  or  comfort  them  as  their  circumstances  re- 
quired. The  whole  process  was  kindly  familiar  and  col- 
loquial, and  managed,  on  the  part  of  the  pastor,  with  a 


I. in:  OF  JOSEPH  285 

fixed  determination   to  D—OBS  the   flock  ;  and    while  the 
feelingi  of  tin-  heart  m<  .  ;.  the  most  valuable 

iaaansstioas  on  ill*-  greal  ratinea  of  Christianity  wefS 

municated.    It  must  bf  admitted,  that  tl 

occopied  ■  considerable  portion  <>f  tunc;  ami  it  ii 

tionable  whether,  in  tin-  pteool   BUMfS  advanced   period  of 

in<  <  ^>;int  ininistj  rial  engagement,  sufficient  I«isnr«-  on  be 
found  far quarterly rieitstiosn  led;  and  yet,  under 

Mr.  Beneea'i  jodiciona  manage  ment,  the  ralnc  of  mall 

us  can  scarcely  be  questioned.     The  tuna  thus 
copied  was  not  tedious,  oat  a  i  thought 

by  superficial  people.      11^  diffusiveo*  >!cd  not  in 

saying  the  same  thing  in  varied  phrase,  hut  in  the  com- 
munication of  new  and  inter.  marks.  Originality 
in,  without  doubt,  fai  less  aatnaaon  than  many  seraeua 
imagine;  old  things  are  often  habited  m  ■  new  garb;  and 
■men  of  that  which  ia  novel  in  appoaianr  ti  is  antkraated  in 

reality  :  hut  Mr.  Benaon,  like  a  thoroughly  instructed  scribe, 

brought  out  of  bii  treasure  things  neu  and  old.     lh>  re- 
marks were  ala  olid  foundation,  and 
generally  so  framed  ai  to  make  the  hearer  thins  tor  him- 
self.     A  i  Inns,  fumpoaod  alino-t   entirely  of  young  men, 
wlio  hare  now  naarly  grown  gray,  ware  deeply  ssdV  steal 

to  the  sage  advices  (l|  this  euunenl  man.       I  :,-  y  wen 
customed   to  meet  at   six   o'clock  on  the    I.ord's-day  DJOfU- 
iiiLrs.    iu  an    apartment   connected   with    the  old   book-mom 
ID   the  City-road    chapel-yard.      ><  . «  ral    members   of   lhat 

class  bare  vises  to  itsnasii  ^(  tm  fulness  in  'be  \\  esL 

body;  and  one  young  man.  whaSM  name  stood  faf  some 
time  on  that  class-paper,  is  now   a  popular  and  very  usefnl 

minister  of  one  of  the  largi  -    Diasenting  chapels  in  the 

metropolis. 

'The  sppointmenl  of  Mr.  Benson  to  a  public  situation  at 
City-road  rhapol  was  slaO  Of  graal  and  permanent  advan- 
tage in  reference  to  Sunday-school  exertions,  which,  at  the 


286  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

commencement  of  the  present  century,  were  but  imperfectly 
understood.  Wholly  unpractised  and  inexperienced  as  the 
London  Methodists  were  at  that  time  in  the  art  of  reli- 
giously teaching  large  masses  of  children,  ministerial  co- 
operation, at  all  times  valuable,  was  then  indispensably 
necessary.  It  was  required  not  only  for  the  public  advo- 
cacy of  these  institutions,  on  annual  occasions,  when  ap- 
peals from  the  pulpit  called  forth  congregational  liberality, 
but  by  the  more  laborious  and  less  agreeable  duty  of  pre- 
siding at  committees,  called  together  at  oft-recurring  and 
inconvenient  seasons,  and  whose  supervision  was  needed 
on  every  point  of  general  management.  In  the  prosecution 
of  these  duties  Mr.  Benson's  services  were  peculiarly 
beneficial.  It  is  true,  he  was  not  a  teacher  of  children, — 
that  was  not  his  province  :  he  was  more, — he  taught  those 
who  taught  them  :  he  guided  the  committees  in  their  princi- 
pal movements  ;  devised  methods  for  economizing  time ;  for 
securing  and  maintaining  funds ;  suggested  rules  for  the  ob- 
servance of  discipline;  wrote  reports;  and,  afterward,  when 
the  committee  prepared  their  own,  he  revised  and  amended 
them  as  occasion  required.  In  acts  so  commendable  he 
persevered  for  years,  with  minute  attention,  known  only  to 
those  who  were  favoured  with  his  company.  In  these 
committee  meetings  he  has  frequently  remained  until  a  late 
hour  at  night,  and  without  asking  uneasy  questions  about 
fair  or  foul  weather,  or  denoting  the  least  anxiety  respect- 
ing personal  ease  and  convenience. 

In  the  management  also  of  our  missionary  affairs  Mr. 
Benson  kindly  interested  himself.  The  Wesleyan  mis- 
sions, on  his  appointment  to  London  in  the  year  1803, 
were  then  comparatively  in  their  infantile  state  ;  the  funds 
were  scanty  and  contingent ;  they  had  hitherto  been  raised 
chiefly  by  the  personal  influence  and  indefatigable  exer- 
tions of  Dr.  Coke.  The  beautiful  and  well-adapted  appa- 
ratus of  parent  and  branch  societies,  subject  to  the  control 


LIKE  OF  JOSEPH  I  287 

of  an  active  and  rasp  committee,  had  then  no  i 

Dr.  Coke  had  departed  tor  America,  and  left  Mr 
m  in  charge   of  t  illy  ;    and   Mr 

Whitfield,  the  book-steward,  irai  intrusted  with  their  pe- 
cuniary coi  ut,  in  coneeqoonoe  of  As  varied  and 

onerous  duties  of  the   former,   and    the   IStlOSJBiBjK 

latter,  the  missionary  eoooern  was  greatly  emharrassed. 
Bills  of  exchange,  drawn  for  the  support  of  the  mi- 
nes in  foreign  parts,  and  which  required  pr  aflioa, 

;.<•   due. and   were  presented   tor  pa\  liii-nt  hi 4 

ether  convenient   to   meet  them.     In  tin-  emergency 
it  srss  determined  to  appoint  i  committee  f>r  the  ms 
inrnt  of  mission  affairs,  till  the  following  conference.    This 
committee  consisted  of  all  the  trarelling  pn  in  the 

London  circuit, together  with  those  in-  i  composed 

the  committee  foi  guarding  <»ur  religious  pririh 

•  few  others,  whose  issistsnce  might  be  sserul.  Of 
this  committee,  which  was  the  first  ever  formed  for  con- 
ducting  the  affairs  of  the  Wesleyan  missionary  operations, 
Mr.  Benson  was  the  president ;  and  the  first  act  of  the 
committee  was  to  lend  between  three  and  tour  Knndred 

BOWads,  to   honour  the  hills   which    had    heen  drawn    upon 

Dr.  Coke  and  Mr.  Whitfield,  <>n  accounl  of  die  misf 
The  committee  lost  do  time  in  idleness.     They  were  wide 
awake  as  to  the  necessity  of  iroi  i  (Fort     In  order 

to  refund  the  money  which  had  heen  borrowed,  ■  circular 
letter  was  drawn  np,  and  forwarded  to  the'  different  circuits 
throughout  the  connection,  requesting  the  aid  of  public 

collections.  The  call  was  responded  to,  and  a  reaction 
was  produced  ;  the  sffed  of  which  was,  that  a  Stronger 
desire  was  saeited  to  srnd  the  gospel  to  the  heathen  than 

had  previously  existed,  and  an  increase  to  the  missionary 

funds  was  the  satisfactory  result. 

And  so  deeply  was   Mr.   Benson   interested  in  this  good 
cause,  that  he  not  only  preside!   at  the  meetings  of  the 


288  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

missionary  committee  in  town,  but,  when  past  his  seven- 
tieth year,  he  took  long  journeys  into  the  country,  into 
Lincolnshire  and  Yorkshire,  to  preach  missionary  sermons, 
and  assist  at  public  meetings,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the 
funds  of  the  Missionary  Society. 

Such  was  Joseph  Benson  ; — a  man  who  possessed  a 
highly  cultivated  mind,  sterling  piety,  inflexible  integrity, 
and  eminent  talents  as  a  Christian  minister  ;  and  whose 
labours  in  the  vineyard  of  our  Lord  were  crowned  with 
almost  unexampled  success.  To  him  Methodism  is  deeply 
indebted  for  much  of  its  present  prosperity.  He  espoused 
and  defended  its  doctrines,  maintained  its  discipline,  and 
was  an  example  to  believers,  in  word,  in  conversation,  in 
charity,  in  spirit,  in  faith,  in  purity.  Nearly  seventy  years 
have  rolled  away  since  he  entered  on  the  itinerant  minis- 
try. Methodism  was  then  in  its  infancy  ;  and  was  rocked 
by  the  winds,  and  cradled  in  the  storm.  Its  advocates 
were  comparatively  iew,  and  generally  poor ;  and  its  ene- 
mies numerous  and  wealthy :  but  he  pursued  his  way 
through  evil  report  and  good  report ;  nothing  terrified  by 
his  adversaries,  sowing  beside  all  waters,  and  watching 
for  souls  as  one  that  must  give  an  account  to  the  Judge  of 
all  the  earth  for  the  talents  with  which  he  was  intrusted. 
But  he  has  long  since  finished  his  course,  and  he  finished 
it  with  joy :  he  now  rests  from  his  labours,  and  his  works 
follow  him.  But  though  dead,  he  yet  speaketh.  He 
speaks  by  his  holy  and  self-denying  example,  especially  to 
his  successors  in  the  ministry,  to  follow  him  as  he  followed 
Christ.  And  he  speaks  by  his  various  writings,  and  par- 
ticularly by  his  great  work,  the  Commentary  on  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  ;  a  work,  replete  with  sound  theolo- 
gical and  critical  learning,  which  will  at  once  perpetuate 
his  name,  and  extend  his  usefulness,  to  generations  yet 
unborn.  Of  this  work,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hartwell  Home, 
in  his  Introduction  to  the  Critical  Study  and  Knowledge 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.         WB 

of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  says,  «■  It  is  an  elaborate  and  very 
useful  commentary  on  the  sacred  Scriptures,  which  (inde- 
pendently of  its  practical  tendency)  possesses  the  merit 
of  compressing,  into  a  comparatively  small  compass,  the 
substance  of  what  the  piety  and  learning  of  former  ages 
have  advanced,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  study  of  the  Bible. 
Its  learned  author  was  particularly  distinguished  for  his 
critical  and    exact   acquaintance   with   the    Greek   Testa- 

With  the  foli  hen  from  "  The  London 

Christian  InMrueter,"  we  (oiulude  tins  volume:  — 

M  .Mr.  !)•  only  a  holv.  but  an  eminent,  man. 

He  was  not  merely  what  we  understand  by  the  common- 
place em  ■omiuin,  an  excellent  preacher;  he  was  i  man  of 
9,  in  the  full  and  unrestricted  import  of  that  noBy» 
benaive  phrase,      ka  ■  |  he  had  gn  i;  but 

such  was  the  power  of  Ida  intellect,  and  such  the 
cendeni  energy  of  his  mind  and  manner,  that  b 
a  eve  altogether  I  d  fact,  bis  •  i  were 

of  that  native  and  macompromiaing  cast,  that  oonld  not  l)e 
otherwise  than  allied  to  concomitant  failures,  though  the 

latter  always  partook  of  the  masculine  mould  of  his  under- 

atanding.     !!«•  aometimi  i  offended  by  ess,  but  he 

never  even  approached  the  confines  of  meanness  01  :• 
Mrs..     His  taste  was  not  remarkable  ior  refinement,  but 
the  force  and  manly  simplicity  of  his  mind  kept  him  from 

touching  upon  affectation.  When  he  seconded  the  pulpit, 
there  was  but  little  in  his  appearance  to  awaken  the 
admiration  of  a  superficial  observer  ; — there  was  an  appa- 
rent languor  in  his  manner,  look,  and  voice,  which,  com- 
bined with  the  smallness  of  his  figure,  contributed  to 
diminish  the  expectation  which  would  otherwise  have  been 
awakened  by  the  intellectual  character  of  his  head,  and  the 
fine  expression  of  the  general  outline  of  his  features.  But 
when  he  had  fairly  entered  into  his  work, — when  he  began 

13 


290  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

to  feel  his  subject, — when  the  hour  of  inspiration  came 
upon  him, — when  he  looked  forth  with  intense  anxiety  on 
the  immortal  beings  to  whom  he  was  commissioned  to  de- 
liver the  message  of  eternity,  he  was  then  all  himself. 
His  eye  lighted  up,  his  lip  quivered,  his  voice  acquired 
commanding  energy ;  and,  varying  from  elevated  to  sepul- 
chral tones,  allowed  no  respite  to  attention.  We  have 
never  heard  a  preacher  who  gave  less  opportunity  for  the 
indulgence  of  drowsiness.  His  forte  did  not  lie  in  that 
finished  and  sustained  style,  which,  however  beautiful  and 
attractive  it  may  sometimes  be,  has  a  tendency  at  length 
to  pall  upon  the  ear.  He  had  little  of  Cicero,  and  less  of 
Isocrates,  in  his  composition :  his  eloquence  was  Demos- 
thenean  ;  or,  if  we  wished  to  point  out  a  more  specific 
resemblance,  we  should  say,  that  it  was  closely  allied, 
though  employed  on  infinitely  nobler  subjects,  to  that  of 
Patrick  Henry."  The  writer  adds  :  "  His  learning  was 
solid ;  and,  as  a  theologian,  though  differing  from  him  in 
particular  points,  we  have  often  been  delighted  and  edified 
by  his  accuracy  and  depth." 


LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON.  291 

On  a  plain  tomb  of  Portland  Mono,  erected  to  .Mr.  Hen- 
son's  memory  by  his  family,  m  the  bwrying-gTound  behind 
the  City-road  chapel,  the  following  epitaph  is  inscribed  : — 

In  Memory  of  the 
REV.     JOS  i:  P  H     I!K\  SON, 
V. 
For 

dents, 

Wll  h  /.eal, 

To  :.  4  the  Cnni.  m  Of  CwU 


-  no, 
Scriptural,  eompieheiiaHre,  and  practical  in  his  discourses, 

\hortations, 
1  of  the  aotboi  .<-red  office, 

And    ardent  I  v  ration    of    souls, 

I    i         •  Hbad  of  tin   I 

Crowned  : 

In  th- 
And  in  building  up  believed  in  their  most  holv  faith- 

BOMfOUl  publications, 
But  especially  his  larpe  and  valuable 
Commentary   npoa    :  scnptures, 

I  he  was 
A  man  of  solid  learning,  and  an  eminent  divine. 

Active,  disinterested,  and  unwearied 

In  his  exertions  to  promote  pure  religion, 

He  desisted  not, 

Even  when  the  infirmities  of  nature  rapidly  advanced, 

From  his  accustomed  labours, 

Both    as    a    writer    and    preacher, 

Till  he  was  summoned  to  receive  his  reward 

Through  the  merits    of   the   Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

In  whom  he  d,  "'h,  1821, 

Aged  73  years. 


292  LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  BENSON. 

Within  the  communion-rails  of  the  same  place  of  wor- 
ship, a  plain  marble  tablet,  bearing  the  following  inscription, 
was  subsequently  erected  by  order  of  the  conference,  as 
recorded  in  the  Minutes  for  1833  : — 

Sacred 

To  the  Memory  of 

JOSEPH    BENSON, 

Who   as   a  Christian   was  holy,   devoted,    and  consistent ; 

Learned,  orthodox,  and  practical,  as  a  commentator ; 

Zealous,  laborious,  and  faithful,  as  a  pastor. 

His  public  ministrations  were  marked  by 

Seriousness,  accuracy,  and  fervour ; 

And  being  accompanied  by  the  unction  of  the  Holy  One, 

For   which  he   continued  instant   in   prayer, 

"Were  eminently  acceptable  and  useful. 

By  manifestation  of  the  truth  commending  himself 

To  every  man's  conscience  in  the  sight  of  God, 

As  the  messenger  of  Christ  he  persuaded  men, 

"And  much  people  was  added  unto  the  Lord." 

Having   served   his   generation  by  the    will   of  God 

He  peacefully  slept  in  Jesus  February  16th,  1821, 

Aged  73  years. 


THE    END. 


